Whether the circumstance is little or big, you are likely to find that at times you don’t have control over an unpleasant situation or event. At such times, it helps to have some tools to help you navigate the troubled waters without engaging in unhealthy behaviors. Big, negative emotions eventually pass. You can use the mindfulness skills in the IMPROVE acronym to help you tolerate emotions until the intensity lessens.
IMPROVE stands for Imagery, Meaning, Prayer, Relaxation, One thing in the moment, Vacation, and Encouragement.
Today, we’ll start with a quick look at Imagery. When we use Imagery, we imagine ourselves dealing successfully with the problem, being in a healthy state of mind, and feeling confident and accomplished when the situation has passed. When we do this, it can help us break cycles of defeating thoughts and move in the direction of a favorable outcome. We can also use imagery to visualize a peaceful scene, use guided imagery, relaxation CDs, and make it a part of our everyday routine.
Leave a Reply