Are You Aware of the Healing Power of Your Imagination?
"Imagination is more important than knowledge." — Albert Einstein
Have you ever considered how powerful your imagination is? The ability to visualize, recall, and create images in our minds is more than just daydreaming—it’s a profound tool for healing and well-being. Jeanne Achterberg, a pioneer in mind-body medicine, described imagery as the “thought process that invokes the senses” and called the image “the world’s greatest healing resource.”
My Personal Journey into Imagery and Healing
My first encounter with the idea of imagination as a healing tool was in 1980, as a new RN working on an oncology floor. It intrigued me, but I wasn’t sure how much of an impact it could really have. Could something as simple as imagery help people when they are undergoing aggressive treatments, or surgery?
Years later, I watched the PBS series Healing and the Mind with Bill Moyers, which explored the mind and body connection in healing. One of the featured experts, neuroscientist Candace Pert, PhD spoke about her work that proved neuropeptide-specific receptors are on the cell walls of the brain and the immune system. She found that neuropeptides and neurotransmitters directly act on the immune system, showing their close association with emotions, reinforcing the idea that our thoughts and feelings influence our physical bodies and can impact our well-being, both positively and negatively..[15][16]
In 1999, after reading her book Molecules of Emotion, I became convinced of the power of imagination in healing. That same year, I enrolled in a yearlong Integrative Imagery certification program with Beyond Ordinary Nursing. The experience profoundly transformed me, preparing me for a career in hospice and palliative care while adding a new dimension to my life. It was also a tool I accessed with patients with positive effects.
The Science Behind the Mind-Body Connection
The field of psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) provides scientific validation for imagery’s impact on health. PNI is the study of the interactions of psychological processes and the nervous, immune, and endocrine systems. Though early research on this connection dates back to the 1800s, it was in 1975 that researchers Robert Adler and Nicholas Cohen formally coined the term psychoneuroimmunology after their groundbreaking studies on classic conditioning, similar to Pavlov’s studies and immune response in mice.
How to Harness the Power of Imagery
Imagery becomes even more effective when combined with relaxation techniques and breathwork. There are various forms of imagery, including meditation, prayer, hypnosis, and stress management techniques, which includes Guided Interactive Imagery sm, Integrative Imagery, developed by Susan Ezra, RN and Terry Reed, RN, MN, Deep Imagery, developed by Dr. Eligio Steve Gallegos, and Mental Imagery, developed by Dr. Jerry Epstein of American Institute of American Imagery. With these modalities, a trained guide facilitates the imagery process, and can be especially powerful.
Chances are, you’ve already experienced the effects of imagery without realizing it. Think about a time when you worried about something—perhaps a loved one running late. Your mind likely conjured distressing images, and you may have even felt physical symptoms of anxiety. On the other hand, recalling a happy memory or sharing a funny story can lift your mood, making you feel lighter and more energized.
Why This Matters for Nurses
As nurses, we work in situations which make it so hard to find what we need to take care of ourselves. My goal and passion is to help you find what works for you in your own self-care, for a vibrant life, and that you can continue your work with renewed energy and passion. Imagery is one such tool—simple, accessible, and profoundly effective.
There’s so much more to explore on this topic, but the best way to understand imagery is to experience it firsthand. If you’d like to try a guided imagery session, click here, and I’ll send you a complimentary recording. Let your imagination be your ally in health and healing!
Take really good care!
Helen