Lamar Valley, Yellowstone National Park
There are so many amazing things our minds can do. The link between our mind and our body is undeniable, and when we can use that link in a positive way, we can feel more in control. It can be hard to tell if anxiety begins with a change in our body (like tension in our stomach) or an unwanted thought (some future thing that may be problematic), but no matter where anxiety starts, the mind and body start to feed off each other in a way to accelerates our experience of anxiety. One skill I work with my clients on is a calm place visualization. We often pair this visualization with some EMDR skills for trauma work, but everyone can use this idea. While vacationing in Yellowstone, I found a new calm place for myself. It was magical being there and I can still feel the magic.
The Lamar Valley. It is stunning, like being in a movie. The valley is wide and green with a gentle river meandering through it. On all sides, snow capped mountains frame the expanse.
Hundreds of huge bison lazily graze while the spring calves play and nurse.
In the morning, the sky is crisp and clear with perfect white clouds contrasting the sapphire blue of the sky. In the evening, the sinking sun refracts off of a small rain shower to create a rainbow before it sets the clouds on fire.
The river reflects the pinks and purples of the clouds as the light slips away and the breeze becomes stronger and colder. The sounds of the bison snorting and bellowing while the calves bleat are carried away by the wind. The warmth of the sun grows on my skin until the cold wind blows it away and I gather my coat a bit tighter until the wind calms again. The air smells clean, fresh and cool, a complete contrast to the hot humidity of Georgia in June.
As I sit and type this, I close my eyes to remember it and a smile sits lightly on my cheeks and I feel a lightness in my chest. This is the beauty of the connection between my body and my mind. When I recall this place, the Lamar Valley in Yellowstone, with intention to focus on what I saw, felt, heard and even smelled, by brain actually calms my body and creates a real time sensation of peace and joy. These places are tucked into our hearts and always accessible to us. Taking a moment to focus on a place like this, gives my body a break from the pressure that was building. As my body calms, my thoughts also clear and I can return to the present moment with more logic. Sometimes a moment to breathe is all we need.
Steps for Calm Place Visualization:
- Pick a place that makes you feel safe and calm
- Ask yourself what you see, hear, smell and feel.
- Notice how your body responds to turning you attention to this place
- Give yourself freedom to look around or even move around the place you have brought to mind.
ALPHARETTA COUNSELING 