Guided Imagery Takes the Heat Away
My grandson playing hockey on a cold day. Note the snow bank behind him.
Those of us who live up here in the Great White North are pretty good at bundling up and getting out and about even if it is the third week of below zero temperatures. Sometimes I remind myself of Randy in A Christmas Story who can’t move his arms because his mother has
him so bundled up to stay warm on his walk to school. Our kids go outside to play. I remember a hockey game outside almost on the Canadian border when we had to heat the kids skates up with hair dryers in between periods because it was way below zero on the outdoor rink where they were playing. We are a tough bunch up here.
However, it has been hot up here in the far north. Not just hot, but humid. We don’t do so well dealing with the heat. All week I’ve felt as though I was breathing through a hot, wet cloth. We live on the shores of Lake Superior, the largest fresh water body in the United States and, in some categories, in the world. We are accustomed to the breeze off the lake being our air conditioner—many folks rely only on fans when it gets truly hot. Many have no central or even window air conditioning. Most of us have appropriate summer clothing, you know, jeans and a long sleeve cotton shirt. Not at all suitable for 80⁰ in the shade with the humidity at 80%.
Nothing is more futile than trying to get something done when you’re really, really, uncomfortable. I didn’t find any relief at all until I decided to try guided imagery. I’ve always been a proponent of imagery, but usually could rely on my imagination to conjure up images that were relaxing, particularly to me. For example, I would think of being in a room with all my family around (4 kids, 4 spouses, 16 grandchildren) and I’d imagine I was sitting to one side with my eyes closed, listening to them all chat and laugh together. That might not be everyone’s cup-of-tea but it worked like magic for me. Instead, I decided to listen to a guided imagery CD. I chose City Park, a relaxing pause in the bustle of city life. Not all that different from imagining I was with my family. As I listened I found the heat and misery of the day faded away. The air felt clear. I felt calm and at peace. It was amazing! I heartily recommend guided imagery for those suffering with the heat and stress of summer.
Click here to access Whole Person Associates extensive collection of guided imagery. Listen to a snippet and choose what you think will work the best for you. Don’t be distressed if it doesn’t work perfectly the first time. Relaxation is a muscle response, just like shooting a basket or playing scales on the piano. After a week or so you’ll find yourself lifted away from daily chores and all the things that pull at us to a place of cool, comfortable peace!
For those of us fortunate to live in the northern reaches of our country, we could just wait. Soon blizzards will blow, snow will pile up, cars will get stuck, furnaces blast away the cold and our guided imagery will turn to warm beaches and sun-filled summer fun.