Monthly Archives: June 2012
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Posted: June 24, 2012Categories: Inspiring StoryRead more »
We just got this lovely email from a newly delivered Mom from the UK:
Hello!
I don't have a question; I just wanted to share my experiences with your tapes with you. I listened to your Successful Labour tapes (Ed. Note: It’s actually called Healthy Pregnancy & Successful Childbirth) with each of my three pregnancies. While the first birth was less than what I imagined or hoped for, your tape certainly helped me through the discomfort of back labour and my initial reaction to having to have an epidural.
The last two births were home births, and were FABULOUS. I am so very thankful that I listened to the tape ahead of time. It certainly made a world of difference.
During each of my three labours, I remembered bits and pieces of the tape at just the right time, and it helped me to get through each contraction, one at a time.
Thank you for these wonderful tapes. I really appreciate guided imagery! -
Posted: June 24, 2012Read more »
Researchers from the Department of Surgery at Columbia University in New York examined whether guided imagery could reduce depression and therefore post-op cardiac events and even deaths (associated with depression) in patients who’d undergone coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery.
Traci Stein and her team hypothesized that this low cost and easy-to-implement technique could reduce post-op distress in CABG patients. Fifty-six patients were randomized into 3 groups: guided imagery, music therapy, and standard care control.
Patients in the imagery and music groups listened to Health Journeys audiotapes preoperatively and intraoperatively. All patients completed psychological, complementary medicine therapies use, and other assessments preoperatively and at 1 week and 6 months postoperatively. -
Posted: June 24, 2012Read more »
After being taken by surprise by a pretty typical, distressing, lurching, crazy emotional roller coaster ride following his heart transplant surgery, a man wonders if there is something he can do to alleviate or cushion his symptoms. Here’s his comment and question:
Question:I am wondering what you might suggest for patients undergoing heart transplants. I spent seven months in a hospital and can tell you the emotions and abandonment are unreal and I want to be able to suggest something other patients can do without help from others which will provide the benefit of mental imagery and not require the assistance of others. A cd player can be put on by a patient, everything else is a gift as there is always someone higher priority and everyone is busy with their own lives. Perhaps you can suggest something for me as well to manage what to do with all the emotional turmoil after surviving all the physical.
Dave
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Posted: June 24, 2012Categories: Update from Health JourneysRead more »
Thanks to the incredible reach of Ruth Buczynski’s NICABM webinar series on new ways of effectively treating traumatic stress, we continue to hear from military posts, bases, hospitals and installations, as well as V.A. Medical and Vet Centers, asking about our military-friendly iteration of guided imagery created by First Sergeant (Ret) Dave Rauls, to provide a bridge to warrior culture.
This is enormously gratifying, as we’ve spent a lot of time, resources and energy over the last few years trying to figure out something useful to offer our service members and first responders. -
Posted: June 17, 2012Categories: Update from Health JourneysBelleruth is currently busy putting the finishing touches on a powerful new guided imagery program to address Traumatic Brain Imagery. This week’s update is presented by the staff of Health Journeys.Read more »
Hello,Summer is just around the corner and the time is ripe to head off for another great summer getaway. Whether you're looking for an adventure packed with new experiences in faraway places, or a quiet escape from the demands of everyday life, your much-deserved vacation is the perfect opportunity to leave the stress of everyday life and work behind.
To make sure that relaxation is part of your getaway, as well as your return to everyday life, we offer these tips, ideas and resources to make sure you return calmed and rejuvenated. -
Posted: June 17, 2012Read more »
Question:
Dear Belleruth,
I'm feeling anxious about the economy, worrying about losing my job, my health insurance, etc. etc. I don't want to dwell on this, as I believe that my thoughts could manifest the very events I'm worrying about.
Any tools, affirmations, guided imagery to help with this?Thanks,
Kathy
Answer:Dear Kathy,
I’m so glad you asked this in the way that you did. It gives me a chance to hopefully offer some reassurance and at the same time, rant and carry on about one of my favorite pet peeves.
First off, let me say that I’m sorry you’re faced with these very real concerns. These are dicey times and no way am I minimizing this aspect of your question. A lot of really good, capable people are in this worrisome situation with you. -
Posted: June 17, 2012Read more »
Researchers from the Istituto Auxologico Italiano in Milan, Italy, tested an unlikely idea for easing commuter stress. They compared three kinds of specially prepared multimedia de-stressing programs designed for delivery over cell phones to stressed out commuters. (One can only hope that these were implemented when people were stuck in traffic and not driving..)
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Posted: June 11, 2012Read more »
I am a 24 year old singer whose day job is delivering packages. I am told I have a really good voice and enough talent to make it professionally. I love to sing.
I had been trying to work up the guts to audition at various local venues or to even get up for open mic nights at a few clubs in my area. Only problem – just the thought of doing this terrified me. I could not bring myself to do it, I was that paralyzed with fear.
I started working with a personal coach, a friend of my sister’s, who got me into using my imagination to rehearse in my mind all the particulars of singing in front of a crowd. I worked with him for 4 weeks, and the change was downright amazing.
Last week, I sang at an open mic night, and once I got started, you could not have dragged me off the stage. Also, the response from the audience was really positive, and that kept me on a roll. I feel like I’ve broken through something really big. I also know that if I get scared again, I can go back to the methods my coach taught me. I am on my way to making my dream happen. He suggested I post this on your Inspiring Story page for others to see and take courage from.
Matthew -
Posted: June 11, 2012Read more »
Dear Belleruth,
I have a fear of moving forward in my professional life. I recently completely a doctoral program and have a PhD. I cannot seem to bring myself to write articles from my dissertation. I can't even read my dissertation. The thought of it causes extreme anxiety and I will do anything to avoid it.
This is so irrational because my research is sound and my results are important. However, I'd rather shrivel into nothingness than do this and I don't know why.
My future depends on me writing these articles and it is the first time in my life where I can't accomplish my goals. Can you help?
A.J. -
Posted: June 11, 2012Read more »
Investigators from the Department of Gastroenterology at Shaare Zedek Medical Center and the Hebrew University School of Medicine in Jerusalem conducted a randomized, controlled trial with 56 outpatients suffering from Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) to see if relaxation training could improve their quality of life.
Subjects were randomly assigned to a treatment group or a waiting-list control group. Treatment group patients attended three relaxation-training sessions and received an audio disc for home practice.
