Visualization and Our Immune System: Using Your Mind to Stay Healthy
The cold and flu season is here. Thankfully, however, there is something you can do to improve your chances of fighting off illnesses and staying healthy. Long overlooked by conventional medicine practitioners, imagery techniques are an extremely effective, safe, and easy-to-apply healing tool.
Promising research in the field of mind-body medicine has found that the brain has the ability to influence the immune system. Imagery techniques like visualization have great potential to affect physiology, and are a useful method anyone can use to help strengthen the immune system and promote healing.
What is the immune system and how does it work?
The immune system consists of two main types of white blood cells that patrol through the blood and lymphatic system. B-lymphocytes, or B-cells–produced in the bone marrow–are cells that create antibodies to fight off viruses and bacteria. T-lymphocytes, or T-cells–produced in the thymus gland–don’t form antibodies. Instead, these cells work alone or assist other cells in attacking foreign intruders.
What is Visualization?
Visualization is a simple mental imagery technique which usually involves a 5 to 30 minute session that begins with a relaxation exercise to help quiet and focus the mind. Once this has been achieved, the individual will help strengthen the immune system by employing an imagined predetermined image or symbolic warrior to help fight off any invading organisms. Some immune strengthening healing symbols you may wish to use could be white knights, doctors in white coats, lasers or healing lights, powerful animals, various weaponries, or vehicles like bulldozers or steamrollers. Whatever you decide to choose, be creative and make it your own.
Here’s what to do
- Begin by getting as relaxed as possible.
- Imagine the helper symbols you created locate and eliminate any invading organisms.
- Once this is done, thank your helpers for carrying out their duties and acknowledge that your immune system is stronger because of this process.
- Make sure to reserve some time for this immune strengthening technique every day.
Using imagery techniques like visualization is a great way to help you beat the cold and flu season this year.