Hospice And Palliative Care – Guided ImagerySECTION: 23.04

Strength of Evidence Level: 3__RN__LPN/LVN__HHA

PURPOSE:

To provide instructions on how to perform guided imagery.

CONSIDERATIONS:

  1. Guided imagery is the use of your imagination to take you to a beautiful place you have been or to a safe, relaxing place you create for yourself in your mind.
  2. Guided imagery helps you to focus your mind on positive, healing images and thoughts.
  3. You are what you think. If you think sad, disturbing thoughts you feel unhappy. If you have comforting, healing thoughts you feel peace. If you have funny thoughts you laugh.
  4. Guided imagery allows you to go anywhere you choose even though you can’t go physically.

EQUIPMENT:

All you need to do guided imagery is your imagination.

Involve all your senses:

visualization – god, forest, trees, ocean

hearing – religious songs, music, wind, waves, birds

smell – grass, woods, sea air

touch – feel of moss, moist sand, petals of flowers

You or someone else can make a tape of your guided imagery.

PROCEDURE:

An ocean example

  1. Loosen your clothing and assume a comfortable position lying or sitting.
  2. Close your eyes
  3. Imagine you are walking along a beautiful beach.
  4. You come to a comfortable, beautifully colored beach chair.
  5. You sit down and take a deep breath in and blow it out.
  6. Looking out over the ocean you see the reflection of the sun.
  7. The waves rush in, break on the beach and gently rush back out. You listen to each one.
  8. The sun is a golden ball in a vibrant blue sky.
  9. The waves come in and the bubbles tickle your toes.
  10. The waves rush out and you feel the warm moist sand beneath your feet.
  11. Taking a deep breath in, you smell the sea air.
  12. The waves rush in and the waves rush out
  13. You feel the warmth of the sun on your face and the gentle breeze tickles your neck.
  14. Sitting quietly taking relaxation breaths you experience the sights, smells, feeling, and sounds of a beautiful beach and ocean.

Creating your Special Place

  1. You are creating your retreat for relaxation, guidance and growth.
  2. This place can be indoors or out.
  3. Make it beautiful, serene, comfortable and safe.
  4. Allow a private walkway to your special place such as a path, garden or field.
  5. Fill this place with beautiful comforting details of your favorite:
  6. Smells.
  7. Sights.
  8. Sounds.
  9. Touch/feelings.

Going to your Special Place

  1. Assume a position of comfort.
  2. Take a few relaxation breaths.
  3. Close your eyes and slowly walk down your entrance.
  4. Unload your worries, fears and anxiety.
  5. Notice the sights, smells, and sounds on your way.
  6. Once you arrive notice all the comforting, aspects in your special place.
  7. Reach out and feel them, smell them, look at them.
  8. Give yourself time to sit and experience the beauty around you.
  9. When you are ready, start back down your entrance.
  10. Take a few relaxation breaths.
  11. Gently open your eyes.

REFERENCES:

Introduction to Complimentary Interventions Hospice Teaching Tool

Home Nursing Agency Healthcare