Recent research by scientists at Johns Hopkins University has indicated that patients who undergo painful cancer treatments can experience pain relief by the very simple task of surrounding themselves with tranquil pictures of nature. A scene which was used frequently in this particular study was of the Victoria Falls.

I find myself wondering if water in particular is helpful to visualize. You frequently hear meditation and relaxation music which has surf sounds in the background. The majority of people like to look out and see the ocean or water in most forms (other than a rain storm that is!). An idyllic holiday for many people might include time spent relaxing under a palm tree on a sandy beach whilst being lulled by the sound of the waves.

The sound, sight and feel of water somehow connects instinctively to our emotions and elicits an automatic reaction. Perhaps the fact that water is not usually still but instead is constantly moving and changing somehow moves us to change our focus and our responses too. I know I frequently use analogies relating to water and visualization including water to help with many situations, not just those relating to pain control. As a hypnotherapist, I am not alone in this treatment application.

There has been a lot of research carried out recently which attempts to test the value of communing with nature as a treatment of some kind or another. Green exercise has been shown to have greater beneficial effect upon mood enhancement and self esteem than other types of exercise; exercise becomes "green" when carried out in natural surroundings as opposed to in a concrete jungle.

You cannot deny the fact that nature tends to have a soothing effect, be it soothing to your mood, your self esteem or soothing away a sense of pain or physical discomfort. We can spend a lot of time in conjecture as to why this is the case. I am sure that many different theories abound. But the fact is that nature does have the ability to sooth and relax both body and mind.

If you are not fortunate enough to be able to spend time out of doors, in the countryside or by the ocean you can at least surround yourself with beautiful pictures of wonderful scenery or you could simply visualize such places. Studies have shown that your mind responds in a similar way to visual imagery as to real experience. And so you can see how it is possible for you to visualize your pain away.

Roseanna Leaton, specialist in hypnosis mp3 downloads for health and well being.

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