Imagery Exercise for General Well-Being
From Dr. Gerald Epstein’s book Healing Visualizations, this quick and simple exercise offers a unique way to maintain general health. Perfect for those who may not enjoy traditional physical exercise, this “imaginal jogging” routine harnesses the power of the mind to stimulate well-being. Research shows that mental exercises can have tangible effects on the body, making this an effective and accessible practice.
Benefits of Imaginal Jogging
- Enhances Mental Clarity: Helps calm the mind and increase focus.
- Boosts Physical Vitality: Even mental visualization can trigger physical responses that support health.
- Reduces Stress: Provides a calming break from daily stressors.
- Accessible to All: No equipment or physical fitness level required.
Incorporate It Daily
To see the benefits, practice this exercise for just two minutes each day. Over time, you may notice improvements in your mood, energy levels, and overall sense of well-being.
This practice is a powerful reminder that the mind and body are deeply interconnected—and that sometimes, the most effective tools for health and healing are the simplest ones. Here is the exercise called The Red Suit
Close your eyes. Breathe out three times and see yourself putting on a red jogging suit and red sneakers. See yourself going out of your home or apartment and walking to the park. Enter the park and begin to run around it clockwise, becoming aware of everything you see. Become aware of what you sense and feel, of the wind passing by you.
Become aware of your stride and your breathing. Notice the trees, grass, and sky. Complete the run by coming back to the point at which you started. Walk out of the park and back to your home. Take off the jogging clothes, shower, dry off, and see yourself put on the clothes you are going to wear for that day. Then open your eyes. Epstein, Gerald. Healing Visualizations: Creating Health Through Imagery. Page 200. Bantam, 1989.
This page was updated November 29, 2024 For more information on Mental Imagery click here