This exercise took me back to my youth, lol. My mother really got into guided imagery for awhile and I used to participate with her. I remember lying on my back on her bedroom floor and falling asleep almost every time! But, I did love it and remembered trying to keep myself calm. It was sort of like that for me this time, only, instead of keeping my body relaxed, I was trying to keep my mind relaxed. I'm one of those people who have a tough time quieting my mind. It is a problem when trying to fall asleep or when I'm trying to unwind. My mind just keeps going...and going...and going.
The first time I tried to do the relaxation, my boyfriend's little brother and his friends were home on his side of the house that he rents. Unfortunately, it's an old house and you can hear pretty much everything when people are being loud. His enterance to the house goes right by my bedroom window as well, so I was distracted by them constantly and got annoyed. The second time, I took my laptop into my bedroom as well, closed the door and gave it a go. No one was home, so there was only the distraction on my mind, but I really was able to relax and get into it and found myself feeling better after it was done. I could feel my body and focused on my breath and the words. I enjoyed the exercise so much!
Hi Victoria!
ReplyDeleteI've read a few blogs today that reference a similar relaxation technique like guided imagery. Although I've never tried it myself, I think it would be something I'd have to practice because like you, my mind wanders and never stops working. I find myself having a hard time concentrating on one thing for a long period of time; I'm very easily distracted. And like you (kinda creepy), I live in an old house and my neighbors are super loud. Sometimes I understand it's the house but the constant noise drives me nuts!
Good luck on your guided imagery and most of all, relaxing!
~Jen
Sounds like you are very familiar with these types of relaxation exercises. I remember one type of exercise that is kind of like this. You relax and lay on your stomoach on the the floor then someone holds your arms up over and then lower them down and while you are relaxing you kind of get this sense that your arms are going through the floor. It's really freaky and interesting all at the same time. Overall I've learned a lot doing these types of exercises to help with stress levels and connecting with another place in your mind outside of where you actually are. The mind is a very powerful thing.
ReplyDeleteHello Victoria. I have a tough time quieting my mind as well. I think I will try your guided imagery tonight. I need help relaxing. Right now I am trying to heal from a divorce and painful things that happened and it's hard to just stop the pain. Any type of exercise will benefit me at this point.
ReplyDeleteBefore I had my son i found it super easy to meditate and focus my energy. NOW oh my it is a little harder because it seems every time I get to that great place he starts crying and I have to stop. So now I do more fire breathing and things, so my point is you might just have to find another way while the house is loud! I personally like breathing techniques.
ReplyDeleteHello Victoria,
ReplyDeleteWhat a great experience you had with your mother as a kid. Sometimes I do the same thing with my daughter especially when she gets herself all wound up and upset over very small issue. The problem is it takes her up to a half hour before she finally will release all the fearful thinking. I know that as an adult we think the same if not more fearful thoughts and at many times will have the same unpleasant reactions to all the worries we carry amongst us. It makes a big difference when we take some precious moments to reconnect the mind/body awareness, we almost see immediate results. I listened to the relaxation technique and could not make my self relax so I found myself at the beach where I was able to connect with my surroundings by using the very guidance from nature. Thank you so much for sharing your experience. Jewel