May 20 • General discussion
Motivation and Discipline
IMAGERY
Using mental imagery is the process of imagining a situation and experiences that support or enhance exercise participation. Clients can imagine themselves approaching exercise or physical activity with greater confidence. They can mentally rehearse their performances with positive feelings and outcomes, and they can imagine positive outcomes to contribute to continued motivation. Imagery may improve self-confidence, either directly or through reducing anxiety (Kossert & Munroe-Chandler, 2007). Clients who mentally picture themselves with a higher performance level can gain confidence and perform better.
Clients may use imagery as well to enhance their outcome expectancies of what they will gain from an exercise program (Kossert & Munroe-Chandler, 2007) and may use a variety of different imagery techniques.
Appearance imagery is when a client imagines appearance or health-related outcomes. Energy imagery refers to mental images used to increase energy and relieve stress (e.g., I will feel good when I exercise).
Reverse listing
Stopping
Cognitive fusion
Imagery
Appearance imagery
Energy imagery
Help clients become aware of their negative thought process by making a list of any negative thoughts they might have toward exercise. Keeping a log can help improve awareness of frequency and content of negative self-talk (Hardy et al., 2009). Help clients come up with a list of positive thoughts they might use toward exercise. For example, I can do it, I can keep going, and I will stick with it. Help clients notice negative thoughts, stop those negative thoughts, and translate those negative thoughts into something positive from the list of positive thoughts they have generated. Remind clients that thoughts are just thoughts. They are simply things that pop in and out of the conscious mind and do not represent who a person is or what a person may or may not be capable of. Remind clients of their goals when they demonstrate negative self-talk.
2
1 comment
Motivation and Discipline
Suggested communities
Powered by