When now is not the time to deal with it, put it away using the Container Imagery.
The Container Imagery is a mind-body technique used to create distance from distressing thoughts, memories, or feelings. It can be used when the things in your mind are not helpful to engage with at the moment. The goal isn’t to suppress or deny what’s there, but to temporarily set it aside.
When put it aside in the container, the issues bothering you won’t interfere with your daily functioning or overwhelm your nervous system.
The Container Imagery teaches your brain that it’s okay to pause and temporarily rest, and that it can choose when and how to deal with stresses and unresolved problems. The Container Imagery technique gives your mind and body a break from unrelenting activation.
Some great times to use this imagery are:
- When you are trying to relax or go to sleep, but can’t stop thinking about work.
- When you are trying to work, but can’t stop thinking about what happened at home.
Here is the technique:
- Close your eyes and get comfortable. Now imagine a container made of any material, of any size, any shape. Make sure you can see how it opens and closes.
- Briefly scan your mind and body to get a sense of what you would like to put aside for now in the container.
- Imagine putting the stuff into your container. Take your time and check to see if there is anything else that needs to go in before you move on to the next step.
- Once it is all in there, close the container securely.
- Next, think about the right place to temporarily store the container. It could be close by so you can access it right away, or very far away. Some clients leave their containers in my office. Some send it to outer space or leave it at the bottom of the ocean.
- Imagine placing the container where it needs to go for now.
- Now that the container is put away, briefly scan your mind and body and see what you notice.
- Remember you can retrieve the stuff from the container whenever you are ready to do so.
- You can use this Container Imagery any time you need it.
That’s it!
I hope this Container Imagery is useful. Therapy can help too!
Feel free to reach out for a consultation if you would like to learn more about EMDR & CBT, anxiety, or trauma therapy with me.
