Have you ever....?

...used guided imagery/meditation as a tool to help you through a difficult time?

You may roll your eyes at this idea (I know I did) but it may be worth considering. For you and/or your child/youth.

A few months ago my daughter's therapist suggested it as a tool to help with her anxiety, and although I thought I kept my eye roll in check, I was quite sceptical of the suggestion. She referred me to a web site www.healthjourneys.com and to a specific speaker (?) called Belleruth Naparstek (yes that is her real name). So like the desperate-for-anything-that-will-help mom that I am, I went to the website and downloaded some guided imagery tracks.

And because I can't resist a packaged deal, I purchased a 4 pack that included general well being, anxiety, sleep and weight loss. Did I mention that I'm a sceptic when it comes to anything new-agey? So I downloaded the tracks to my Ipod, and made a cd of the anxiety one for my daughter.

I asked her to listen to it before going to sleep every night for about a week. Which she did, and now the cd has mysteriously disappeared.

That was a few months ago and since then I will confess I have become a convert of sorts. When things are really stressful around here, I will load it on my ipod and listen while I try and relax. Belleruth's voice is quite suited to the guided imagery. I haven't lost any weight listening to the weight loss one - clearly I have to do more than just listen. However the general well being one is quite good and I can listen to it while driving.

Here's a link to a free sample http://www.healthjourneys.com/free_audio.asp

Just a little hint - if listening to the sleep guided imagery track on your Ipod while actually trying to fall asleep, delete all other music from the Ipod. This will prevent your sleep being disrupted by Twisted Sister singing "We're Not Gonna Take It" after you've finally dozed off.