Vlog: Part 2: Using Your Imagination To Manage Stress

Hi! I'm back to bring you the second part of my vlog on imagination.  In the first part, I talked about how I have used imagination to relieve stress throughout my life.  In today's vlog, I talk about how imagination can help you and how to actually tap into your imagination.  Here we go.  

How can imagination help you?

Stress relief:  Some stress is good.  It challenges you to get things done, meet deadlines, grow/change for good, and so on.  But getting too stressed out can be harmful to your health.  Stress can cause:

• physical symptoms
• missed work due to illness
• psychological symptoms
• relationship issues and more.  It can touch all areas of your life.

Using imagination for good:  While imagination can cause disease, it also can heal.  You may worry yourself sick (literally) about money, tests, surgery, relationships--even about getting sick!  How about using it for good instead to: 

• see the big picture 
• relieve stress 
• work out problems/find solutions
• practice conversations with doctors, bosses, friends, teachers, family, lawyers, insurance agents--anyone  
• get relief from the negativity that's bogging you down either in your head or from others 
• improve your emotional and mental well being

So, how do you do this?  

How do you practice imagining to reap the benefits of it?

• Ask yourself what imagination would do for you that's positive
• Make room for imagination in your life
• Use active imagination, which was created by Carl Jung, to connect the conscious and sub-conscious. Examples are dream interpretation, visualization, and daydreaming.  You can imagine an army representing the immune system fighting the disease, or enemy.  Or you can imagine a meadow of wildflowers or the seashore that is calming.  You can also use meditation to bring yourself to a safe place in which to work out problems that cause fear.  And how about viewing your health issue as a movie?  What do you see?  How do you feel?  How did you get this health issue?  What can you do to ease the symptoms or recover?  
• Commit to taking action based on what you learned from your imagination
• Do more of what you love (sing, exercise, eat your favorite foods, place fresh flowers throughout the house), in order to attract positive energy.  This positive energy sharpens your critical thinking and decision-making skills, which you need in order to solve problems and reduce stress.
• Keep a lookout for signs, symbols, and synchronicity.  For example, when I'm feeling down and I see a cloud in the shape of a feather, I take it as a sign that my guardian angel has my back since the feather is a sign that your guardian angel is nearby.
• Make sure to review what you're doing to see what works and what doesn't.  Make adjustments as needed.

It is very important to become aware of what you need in order to facilitate change.  Go within yourself, using your imagination, to help you find out.  

PNI

Robert Ader, a psychologist, and Nicholas Cohen, an immunologist, came up with the term psychoneuroimmunology.  What's that all about?  Let's take a look:

• The idea behind the big name is that the mind can activate specific neurological processes which in turn can stimulate the immune system to suppress illness and improve health.  Yay, I love it!
• And, as I mentioned earlier, while the mind's reaction to stress can stunt immunity and promote illness, visualization, imagination, and such can stimulate the immune system to better fight disease.  Who-hoo!  

Okay, here are more ways to tap into this awesome thing called imagination:

• relax
• get a clear image of your immune system fighting your disease--whatever health issue you're dealing with.  This could be an army fighting an enemy, a bunch of big fish representing your immune system devouring a bunch of other fish representing your disease or another stressor, or a stream of light that surrounds you and fills you with healing energy.

Here's the but, and a counter but

All this isn't backed by copious amounts of research, but it can be used safely as a part of your healthcare plan in conjunction with your traditional medical treatments and therapies.  It can't hurt you to use your imagination for good.  The only way it could hurt you is if you decided to live in your imaginary world and never deal with reality.  Try it to ease your mind and stress lwhen you most need it and see how you feel.  See if it helps.  And, if it does, which has been true in my case, wow!  Imagine, with more solid research data, what a wonderful feeling it would be to have your doctor actually prescribe imagination as a potential treatment for what's ailing you!  

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Resources:  www.psychologytoday.com and www.goodtherapy.org

Vlog: Using Your Imagination To Relieve Stress and Promote Healing, Part 1

Hi all!  I'm back from vacation.  We had a good time in California celebrating our 30th wedding anniversary and visiting a friend.  

This vlog is a summary of how I used imagination to relieve stress throughout my life, especially during my early years.  

• I invented an imaginary world in my bedroom from as far back as I can remember where I was healthy, strong, talented, popular, married, a mom, working at a job I loved, and so on.  
• I worked out problems
• Practiced conversations that I would have with doctors, teachers, family members, friends, and job interviewers
• I was creative: drawing, painting, singing, dancing, writing for hours on end.
• It freed me from the stress, provided an escape, at least temporarily
• It helped me build confidence

I did overdo it a bit as I got into my teens, spending as much time as possible in my sanctuary.  That probably wasn't as healthy as tempered imagination would have been, but I say it still benefited me and may have saved my life.  I was very insecure, lost, depressed throughout my childhood as a result of dealing with my chronic health issues, surgeries, pain, doctor's appointments, therapies, and so on.  And I hated using a wheelchair.  I felt like it made me stick out rather than giving me freedom and mobility.  The imaginary world I created gave me a much-needed break from the stress.

In Part 2, I'll talk about how imagination can ease stress and promote healing as well as how to actually tap into your imagination and use it for good rather than negative means.  

Do you use your imagination for stress relief?  Or do you use it to worry, imagining the worst?  What type of results have you seen?

Part 2 will be coming soon.   Take care.

Vlog: Don't Give Up On Your Dreams

This video was recorded a couple days ago, but I didn't get it posted until today due to a crazy, busy couple of days.  Sorry about that!  

I talk about believing things are going to be okay, and those things and people who help you through tough times.  If you believe, the right people will come into your life to help. 

For me:

• Guardian angel:  I believe my guardian angel sent me the people who would help me the most.  People came into my life who changed my life dramatically, who helped me through the tough times, who were there for me during good times too. 
• Daydreaming:  I made up an entire alternate world for myself in my bedroom growing up.  From the time I was about nine years old, I disappeared into that daydream world as much as possible, where I was healthy, confident, popular, happy.  What I practiced and learned in the daydream world, I took to my reality.  
• Imagination:  Similarly, my imagination saved my life.  I wrote, drew, painted, created.  I would immerse myself in these creative projects so deeply that I was able to forget about my troubles.  I also listened to music.  Music was a life saver, too.  I absolutely love music.  It is very healing.  The arts are healing as a whole as well.  That's why I shiver when I hear the arts 'poo-poo'ed' as unimportant.  That are extremely important and should be given more credit as a tool to enhance well-being.  
• Miracles:  I wasn't supposed to survive past the age of six.  I did.  My husband wasn't expected to survive his fall in 2003.  He did.  Miracles do happen, folks.  I truly believe that.  With the right mindset you can make amazing things happen.  You can totally change your outlook to change your outcomes.  If you believe in yourself, really want change, the right people will be attracted to you who can help you make those changes happen.  

Do you believe in guardian angels, daydreaming, imagination, and similar things having the ability to help you through your tough times?  I'd love to talk with you about your experiences.  

I'm sharing space with guest blogger, Sarah Jordan.  She's a stay-at-home mom coach and writes about friendship here today.  Welcome Sarah!  You rock!

Celebrating Being a Loner

I've been a loner for as long as I can remember.  Not that I didn't wish now and then that I was more gregarious.  Sure I did.  But my imaginary world was where I felt best, especially in childhood.  These days I'm kind of caught in the middle.  I love friendship and socializing, but I also love my alone time and solitude.

What is a loner?

According to Merriam-Webster, a loner is, "a person who is often alone or prefers to be alone."  It's a personality trait, a lifestyle, not a disease or something bad.  Being a loner doesn't automatically mean a person is lonely, although loners certainly can have feelings of loneliness now and then like anyone else.  Loners are often shy and quiet. Rather than socialize, a loner would rather be alone with her own thoughts, engaging in activities that are personally gratifying. Loners often enjoy creative activities. (I've heard that loners tend to be writers, for one, which I think is pretty cool.) They can be kind, arrogant, sensitive, humble, nasty--anything.  

Things to consider about loners

• Loners are not necessarily less happy than out-going people
• Loners could have been abused or be an abuser
• Loners tend to live their own lives, not being bothered by norms and social pressures, thus their personalities evolve, and they are often wise
• Loners may have been brought up to value privacy
• Loners may not have had many friends while growing up
• If you are alone and unhappy, if you feel out of place, if you are depressed, or if you have suicidal thoughts, seek professional help

What I like about being a loner

As a loner, I love quiet and solitude.  I can concentrate.  I have a hard time concentrating when there are a lot of people around, lots of calls coming in, lots of things going on.  I love being able to disappear into my work, a book, a creative project, and pretty much knowing I won't be disturbed.  It's my form of meditation.  The words that come to my mind are "revitalizing," "healing," and "cleansing."  I can let my imagination loose and revel there for hours.  Another thing I like about being a loner is not having to deal with other peoples' drama, waiting around for late comers or no shows.

What I don't like about being a loner

Occasional loneliness can be a bummer.  Also, feeling left out.  I get frustrated when I feel left out even if I didn't want to hang out with a certain person anyway.  When I feel detached from the community and friends, I get anxious at times.  When I do see people, I sometimes feel lost because they are talking about things I don't know or am not involved in..  It makes me feel out of touch.  So, what do I want then?  Can I have it both ways--keeping to myself and socializing?  Hmm.  I wonder.

I think the important thing is to live day to day in a way that feels comfortable.  Go with your gut.  If you want a hectic, fun-filled, roller-coaster-ride type of life, go for it.  If you'd rather be by yourself, meditate, and get lost in your own thoughts, that's cool too.  Everyone is different, and that's good.  Be the authentic you, without second-guessing or criticizing yourself.  Hold dear those who accept you the way you are and stand by you through life's trials, celebrations, and changes. 

Are you a loner?  If so, how has it affected your life?

----
Sources:

Psychologytoday.com, Introverts Are Not Failed Extroverts, by Susan Newman, Ph.D.

Healthsearchfunding.org, 3 Loner Personality Traits

Psychologytoday.com, Field Guide to the Loner: The Real Insiders, Elizabeth Svoboda

.