{"id":877,"date":"2025-05-19T05:27:09","date_gmt":"2025-05-19T05:27:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.artofliving.org\/us-en\/blog\/?p=877"},"modified":"2025-07-30T05:51:18","modified_gmt":"2025-07-30T05:51:18","slug":"guided-imagery-meditation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.artofliving.org\/us-en\/blog\/meditation\/guided-imagery-meditation","title":{"rendered":"What is Guided Imagery Meditation? | The Art of Living"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_74 ez-toc-wrap-left counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.artofliving.org\/us-en\/blog\/meditation\/guided-imagery-meditation\/#What_is_guided_imagery_meditation\" >What is guided imagery meditation?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.artofliving.org\/us-en\/blog\/meditation\/guided-imagery-meditation\/#How_does_guided_imagery_meditation_work\" >How does guided imagery meditation work?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.artofliving.org\/us-en\/blog\/meditation\/guided-imagery-meditation\/#The_pros_and_cons_of_guided_imagery_meditation\" >The pros and cons of guided imagery meditation<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.artofliving.org\/us-en\/blog\/meditation\/guided-imagery-meditation\/#Alternatives_to_guided_imagery_meditation\" >Alternatives to guided imagery meditation<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.artofliving.org\/us-en\/blog\/meditation\/guided-imagery-meditation\/#Explore_other_meditative_methods_with_The_Art_of_Living\" >Explore other meditative methods with The Art of Living<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"877\" class=\"elementor elementor-877\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-2db93ab elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default jltma-glass-effect-no\" data-id=\"2db93ab\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-0445412 jltma-glass-effect-no\" data-id=\"0445412\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b6692a7 jltma-glass-effect-no elementor-widget elementor-widget-shortcode\" data-id=\"b6692a7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"shortcode.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-shortcode\"><h1>What is Guided Imagery Meditation? | The Art of Living<\/h1><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ca7674f jltma-glass-effect-no elementor-widget elementor-widget-shortcode\" data-id=\"ca7674f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"shortcode.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-shortcode\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b70fea6 jltma-glass-effect-no elementor-widget elementor-widget-shortcode\" data-id=\"b70fea6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"shortcode.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-shortcode\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"721\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/www.artofliving.org\/us-en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/woman_smiling_while_doing_guided_meditation_by_the_water_with_headphones.jpg-1.webp\" class=\"custom-featured-image wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.artofliving.org\/us-en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/woman_smiling_while_doing_guided_meditation_by_the_water_with_headphones.jpg-1.webp 721w, https:\/\/www.artofliving.org\/us-en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/woman_smiling_while_doing_guided_meditation_by_the_water_with_headphones.jpg-1-300x187.webp 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 721px) 100vw, 721px\" \/>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9bd87c3 jltma-glass-effect-no elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"9bd87c3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Guided imagery meditations are becoming increasingly popular, but are they the right type of meditation for you? Read this article to find out!<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0f28f78 jltma-glass-effect-no elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"0f28f78\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_guided_imagery_meditation\"><\/span>What is guided imagery meditation?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2229122 jltma-glass-effect-no elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"2229122\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"721\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/www.artofliving.org\/us-en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/relaxing_meditation_by_sunset_on_mountain_with_clouds.jpg.webp\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-903\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.artofliving.org\/us-en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/relaxing_meditation_by_sunset_on_mountain_with_clouds.jpg.webp 721w, https:\/\/www.artofliving.org\/us-en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/relaxing_meditation_by_sunset_on_mountain_with_clouds.jpg-300x187.webp 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 721px) 100vw, 721px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-682fff4 jltma-glass-effect-no elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"682fff4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Did you know that\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.stress.org\/daily-life\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">55 percent of Americans<\/a>\u00a0report feeling stressed during the day? Although it\u2019s normal to feel stressed out from time to time, long-term stress can put a strain on your physical and mental health, even leading to serious health issues. Therefore, it\u2019s best to combat stress before it worsens through relaxation techniques and meditation.<\/p><p>One of the increasingly popular meditation techniques you\u2019ll read about online is guided imagery or visualization meditation. Guided imagery meditations involve using all of your senses to create images in your mind that feel like real events. The idea behind imagery meditations is connecting your mind and body to stimulate changes in your blood pressure, breathing, and heart rate to lower stress levels. As a result, participants report feeling more relaxed after doing guided imagery meditations.<\/p><p>Despite their popularity online, guided imagery meditations are unlike traditional meditation, which focuses on resting your mind. Since meditation should be effortless and only require a gentle guiding effort of attention, it\u2019s important to understand the best way for you to practice guided meditations. For some, this may mean resting your mind while for others it requires awareness of things that are at work.<\/p><p>Still, if you\u2019re considering this meditation practice, you should understand how it works, the benefits of guided imagery, and what alternatives exist. Keep reading to learn all that and more!<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-14ce07a jltma-glass-effect-no elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"14ce07a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_does_guided_imagery_meditation_work\"><\/span>How does guided imagery meditation work?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-17acb28 jltma-glass-effect-no elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"17acb28\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"721\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/www.artofliving.org\/us-en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/silhouette_guided_imagery_meditation_by_lake-1.jpg.webp\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-910\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.artofliving.org\/us-en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/silhouette_guided_imagery_meditation_by_lake-1.jpg.webp 721w, https:\/\/www.artofliving.org\/us-en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/silhouette_guided_imagery_meditation_by_lake-1.jpg-300x187.webp 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 721px) 100vw, 721px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-df19c72 jltma-glass-effect-no elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"df19c72\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Guided imagery meditation is a relaxation technique you can practice no matter where you are. It\u2019s a lot like daydreaming in that you simply imagine a peaceful place, such as the beach, your childhood backyard, or a cafe in Paris.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9069bdb jltma-glass-effect-no elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"9069bdb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>As a result, you will notice your breaths per minute reduce as you become calmer and less tense. Your heart rate may slow down as well. These are signs that the guided imagery is working.<\/p>\n\n<p>There are many guided imagery recordings or videos online, but you can also attend a guided imagery session at a yoga or wellness center near you. <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ddf8484 jltma-glass-effect-no elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"ddf8484\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_pros_and_cons_of_guided_imagery_meditation\"><\/span>The pros and cons of guided imagery meditation<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1564e14 jltma-glass-effect-no elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"1564e14\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"721\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/www.artofliving.org\/us-en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/man_practicing_mindfulness_with_waterfall_imagery_meditation.jpg.webp\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-915\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.artofliving.org\/us-en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/man_practicing_mindfulness_with_waterfall_imagery_meditation.jpg.webp 721w, https:\/\/www.artofliving.org\/us-en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/man_practicing_mindfulness_with_waterfall_imagery_meditation.jpg-300x187.webp 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 721px) 100vw, 721px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5435cb7 jltma-glass-effect-no elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5435cb7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>As mentioned, guided imagery meditation is much different than traditional meditation, where the mind is at rest. Guided visualization engages your mind, meaning that you don\u2019t reap the same benefits as you typically would during true meditation. <\/p>\n\n<p>Still, some people enjoy this relaxation technique. Before you try it, consider the pros and cons listed below!<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-76d9ee3 jltma-glass-effect-no elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"76d9ee3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">The pros<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7a05fb2 jltma-glass-effect-no elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7a05fb2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGuided imagery can positively affect your health in several ways, but most people practice it to reduce stress and anxiety.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-054bef5 jltma-glass-effect-no elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"054bef5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">If you use guided imagery to relax when you are going through an especially stressful moment, it can bring immediate results. However, it may take some practice to really get the hang of guided imagery and achieve the desired effects. Moreover, regular practice can also lead to the following benefits.<\/span>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4577a4b jltma-glass-effect-no elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"4577a4b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Improved sleep quality<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a541dad jltma-glass-effect-no elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a541dad\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>If you\u2019ve ever spent hours tossing and turning at night, guided imagery may help you relax and unwind before bed. Letting go of your worries and stresses can help you fall asleep faster. <\/p>\n\n<p>Some people even use this technique as an alternative to \u201ccounting sheep\u201d because it has a similar goal \u2014 to take your mind off your worries or inability to fall asleep, helping you relax. <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d50669d jltma-glass-effect-no elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"d50669d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Decreased pain perception<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b694a17 jltma-glass-effect-no elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"b694a17\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"721\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/www.artofliving.org\/us-en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/man_with_open_arms_experiencing_freedom_with_meditation_practice.jpg.webp\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-931\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.artofliving.org\/us-en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/man_with_open_arms_experiencing_freedom_with_meditation_practice.jpg.webp 721w, https:\/\/www.artofliving.org\/us-en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/man_with_open_arms_experiencing_freedom_with_meditation_practice.jpg-300x187.webp 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 721px) 100vw, 721px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7eff33e jltma-glass-effect-no elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7eff33e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"border: 0px; font-style: normal; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant-emoji: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: 'Gotham Narrow Book'; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-size: 18px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #6f7283;\"><span style=\"border: 0px; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-size: 18px; vertical-align: baseline;\">If you deal with chronic illness, guided imagery may help you with\u00a0<\/span><\/span><a style=\"border: 0px; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant-emoji: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; transition: 0.2s; color: #0e6ad7; text-decoration-line: underline;\" href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/30208778\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"border: 0px; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-size: 18px; vertical-align: baseline;\">pain management<\/span><\/a><span style=\"border: 0px; font-style: normal; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant-emoji: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: 'Gotham Narrow Book'; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-size: 18px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #6f7283;\"><span style=\"border: 0px; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-size: 18px; vertical-align: baseline;\">. Although guided imagery can\u2019t remove physical pain, it can help take your mind off it through pleasant images. When you\u2019re less focused on the pain, you may not feel it as intensely and experience some pain relief, even if just momentarily.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-51d2b26 jltma-glass-effect-no elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"51d2b26\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Reduced symptoms of depression <\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1a45415 jltma-glass-effect-no elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1a45415\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tOften, anxiety, panic attacks, and even depressive episodes are fueled by increased negative thoughts. Learning to put those negative feelings aside and focus on the positive with guided imagery may help you combat your depression or at least reduce the symptoms.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-faee0cd jltma-glass-effect-no elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"faee0cd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">The cons<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7f0fb47 jltma-glass-effect-no elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7f0fb47\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>There are some cons associated with guided imagery, and some people report negative side effects. The most common issue some people have is increased feelings of anxiety. This is likely the result that people with anxiety may become overstimulated during guided imagery meditations. As a result, they may have heightened stress levels, increased feelings of depression, or other negative feelings. <\/p>\n\n<p>Additionally, you may find that guided imagery meditations leave you feeling less than well-rested. This is because your mind has been active throughout the meditation process. In this case, it may be beneficial to try a different guided imagery meditation method.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0e71f77 jltma-glass-effect-no elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"0e71f77\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">If you\u2019re concerned about these side effects, you may prefer to try a different form of meditation that relaxes your mind and puts it to rest instead of engaging it.\n\n<\/span>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c687597 jltma-glass-effect-no elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"c687597\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Alternatives_to_guided_imagery_meditation\"><\/span>Alternatives to guided imagery meditation<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-08b5121 jltma-glass-effect-no elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"08b5121\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"721\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/www.artofliving.org\/us-en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/senior_woman_practicing_meditation_for_calm_in_nature.jpg.webp\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-938\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.artofliving.org\/us-en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/senior_woman_practicing_meditation_for_calm_in_nature.jpg.webp 721w, https:\/\/www.artofliving.org\/us-en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/senior_woman_practicing_meditation_for_calm_in_nature.jpg-300x187.webp 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 721px) 100vw, 721px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-815ccc0 jltma-glass-effect-no elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"815ccc0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGuided imagery meditation isn\u2019t for everyone, and many people prefer true meditation, a practice that puts your mind to rest rather than engaging the senses. If you would like to try meditation, we recommend the following alternatives. \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0c9c22f jltma-glass-effect-no elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"0c9c22f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\"><h3 style=\"margin-bottom: 0px;border: 0px;font-weight: bold;line-height: 38px;font-size: 24px;vertical-align: baseline\"><a style=\"border: 0px;font-style: inherit;font-variant: inherit;font-weight: inherit;line-height: inherit;font-family: inherit;vertical-align: baseline;background-color: transparent\"><span style=\"border: 0px;font-variant: inherit;font-weight: inherit;line-height: inherit;font-family: inherit;font-size: 24px;vertical-align: baseline\">Guided meditations<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-family: Lora, sans-serif;font-size: 28px\"><\/span><\/h3><\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-eedecd4 jltma-glass-effect-no elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"eedecd4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"border: 0px; font-style: normal; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant-emoji: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: 'Gotham Narrow Book'; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-size: 18px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #6f7283;\"><span style=\"border: 0px; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-size: 18px; vertical-align: baseline;\">If you haven\u2019t learned a meditation technique yet, guided meditation can help you get started. They are easy to access using an app on your phone, meaning you can do them anywhere and anytime. After choosing a guided\u00a0<\/span><\/span><a style=\"border: 0px; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant-emoji: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; transition: 0.2s; color: #0e6ad7; text-decoration-line: underline;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.artofliving.org\/us-en\/meditation\/beginners-guide\/meditation-for-beginners#Meditation%20for%20beginners:%20here%20are%20all%20the%20tips%20to%20get%20started\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"border: 0px; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-size: 18px; vertical-align: baseline;\">meditation for beginners<\/span><\/a><span style=\"border: 0px; font-style: normal; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant-emoji: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: 'Gotham Narrow Book'; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-size: 18px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #6f7283;\"><span style=\"border: 0px; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-size: 18px; vertical-align: baseline;\">, relax and close your eyes. Then, follow the effortless instructions provided in the audio recording.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e6c61c7 jltma-glass-effect-no elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"e6c61c7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Our Art of Living Journey App has a collection of guided meditations you can try. Best of all, there\u2019s a free trial so you can explore this practice without having to spend any money.\n\n<\/span>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d2e9a3d jltma-glass-effect-no elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"d2e9a3d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Breath meditation<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1eba467 jltma-glass-effect-no elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1eba467\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Breath meditation uses deep breathing exercises and techniques to help you let go of stressful situations and feel a sense of inner peace and well-being.<\/p><p>Some people like to practice breath awareness mindfulness meditation, in which they observe their breathing as they inhale and exhale. Without much effort, they practice deep breathing at a comfortable pace. As simple as it sounds, your breath is powerful and can help you find deep relaxation as you let go of tension. Our\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/members.us.artofliving.org\/us-en\/lp\/online-course-2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">SKY Breath Meditation course<\/a>\u00a0can help you unlock the power of your breath in just a few sessions!<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5090c6a jltma-glass-effect-no elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"5090c6a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Sleep meditations<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a8ef7f7 jltma-glass-effect-no elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"a8ef7f7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"721\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/www.artofliving.org\/us-en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/woman_doing_yogic_breath_for_sleep_meditation.jpg-1.webp\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-942\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.artofliving.org\/us-en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/woman_doing_yogic_breath_for_sleep_meditation.jpg-1.webp 721w, https:\/\/www.artofliving.org\/us-en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/woman_doing_yogic_breath_for_sleep_meditation.jpg-1-300x187.webp 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 721px) 100vw, 721px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3bfbf48 jltma-glass-effect-no elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3bfbf48\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Meditation is an excellent way to improve the quality of your sleep since it helps you clear your head and be more mindful of the present moment. If you struggle to fall asleep because you can\u2019t take your mind off the problems of your daily life,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.artofliving.org\/us-en\/meditation\/sleep\/guided-sleep-meditation\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">sleep meditations<\/a>\u00a0may be a good idea.\u00a0<\/p><p>These specific guided meditations allow you to let go of stress while you reduce anxiety and tension in your entire body. Upon completion, you\u2019ll find yourself feeling ready to fall asleep.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ce3dad7 jltma-glass-effect-no elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"ce3dad7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Explore_other_meditative_methods_with_The_Art_of_Living\"><\/span>Explore other meditative methods with The Art of Living<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-aaf7b5f jltma-glass-effect-no elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"aaf7b5f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Guided imagery is similar to daydreaming, and while it can help you relax, it isn\u2019t true meditation. If you want to experience the full benefits of a meditation practice and maximize the effects of your sessions, we recommend trying our SKY Breath Meditation course.\u00a0<\/p><p>SKY Breath Meditation is perfect for beginners, easy to learn, and can be done anywhere you go. Best of all, it\u2019s an evidence-based practice that\u2019s been tried and tested, so you can have the peace of mind that it works! If you\u2019d like to learn more about SKY, we invite you to\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/members.us.artofliving.org\/us-en\/lp\/online-course-2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">join a free intro session<\/a>!<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ab88e38 jltma-glass-effect-no elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"ab88e38\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"721\" height=\"286\" src=\"https:\/\/www.artofliving.org\/us-en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Intro_talk_banner_2022V4-2_3.jpg.webp\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-943\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.artofliving.org\/us-en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Intro_talk_banner_2022V4-2_3.jpg.webp 721w, https:\/\/www.artofliving.org\/us-en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Intro_talk_banner_2022V4-2_3.jpg-300x119.webp 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 721px) 100vw, 721px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Guided imagery meditations are becoming increasingly popular, but are they the right type of meditation for you? Read this article to find out! What is guided imagery meditation? Did you know that\u00a055 percent of Americans\u00a0report feeling stressed during the day? Although it\u2019s normal to feel stressed out from time to time, long-term stress can put [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":896,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[10],"class_list":["post-877","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-meditation","tag-featured"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.artofliving.org\/us-en\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/877","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.artofliving.org\/us-en\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.artofliving.org\/us-en\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.artofliving.org\/us-en\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.artofliving.org\/us-en\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=877"}],"version-history":[{"count":102,"href":"https:\/\/www.artofliving.org\/us-en\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/877\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2991,"href":"https:\/\/www.artofliving.org\/us-en\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/877\/revisions\/2991"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.artofliving.org\/us-en\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/896"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.artofliving.org\/us-en\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=877"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.artofliving.org\/us-en\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=877"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.artofliving.org\/us-en\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=877"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}