It is said that when you are in pain, visualizing how you want things to be will help create that experience and soothe you in the moment. Sometimes though, at least for me this past week, it felt really hard to imagine this vibrant, healthy image of myself when I'm feeling the opposite. Yet, sinking into the pain felt too much also.
There is a fine balance between allowing where you're at and envisioning what you want. What to do?
Often times when we are in pain - physical, mental, or emotional - we reach for comfort food. This week, I tried a different route. I combined visualization with comfort food. It was an image that relaxed and delighted me. While it felt too much of a stretch - at that moment - to see myself radiating health, I could definitely envision myself laying on a bed of lasagna. The ricotta cheese pillow comforted my neck. The tomato blanket was thick and warm and cradled me just so. The long noodles formed to my body. The aroma of the vegetables (zucchini and spinach) put my mind at ease. I was in food fantasy lasagna heaven. And, my pain subsided.
You know, I've always dreamt of swimming in a vat of organic blueberry goo, lapping up the little round berries while the syrup helped keep me buoyant. Don't even get me started on many banquets that lay before me in my mind's eye!
Never before, though, had I thought of using a food visualization to ease pain. Well, lo and behold, I have found yet another useful way to combine my mind and my love of food. In healing!
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