There's a commercial playing on TV these days showing a guy drinking a Corona on a beach and a flight attendant with one of those big rolling drink carts comes walking up to ask him if he's doing ok. Turns out he's on a flight daydreaming about the beach.
Have you ever been told at the doctor or the dentist office to "go to your happy place" before a painful or scary procedure? If so, you've probably found your "beach" someplace and went there in your mind. This visualization is a powerful tool to help you relax.
Visualization is a technique where you mentally "go" someplace else. I've seen it used in stress management classes and I've personally used it coaching nervous folks who need to do a presentation. The mind is a very powerful tool.
I read an article a long time ago about a POW who spent years in the infamous Hanoi Hilton. To combat the stress of solitary confinement, he would mentally play golf each day. When he emerged years later, physically debilitated, he managed to have an outstanding score on his first day back on the course. Each day he "played" the course in his mind and when he played for real, his body was already in sync.
Your "beach" is a great way to de-stress. Pick a place that you can completely see, in all dimensions. Imagine the sight, sounds, smells. Visualize all the activities around you. Take yourself there and stay there for the duration of the stressful event. You'll notice a remarkable change in your stress level.
A word of warning though. Avoid this "beach" while driving, sitting in a boring meeting or class where you may get called on, or when arguing with your significant other. If you have to interact verbally or visually, you'll be so disconnected that you may not recover in time. On that stressful flight, painful procedure, or other unnerving situations though, feel free to hit the "beach" and relax. Who knows, maybe I'll see you there!
