Visualization

For many of us investing in our mental health involves hope for a better future, whatever that may mean for you. It might be helpful to think that these feelings will pass and so will the stress you are experiencing. Many of us are hopeful for something more or something better than what we currently have. This way of future and goal oriented thinking helps us to move forward and achieve things that bring additional happiness into our lives. Doing this requires continuous effort and hard work, overcoming obstacles and challenges along the way. But when we know what we want we can create a series of steps and plan out our goals in order to achieve them. You can help yourself achieve these goals for the future with the thoughts you have on a daily basis. Mentally imagining and visualizing your goals can help get you closer to where you want to be.

Visualization continues to show its effectiveness in today’s ongoing research on the subject. From business leaders and professional athletes to its use in improving health outcomes and treating disease, visualization has the ability to help us reach any of our goals. The more clarity you have about what you want, the more likely you are to get it. Many of us have a general idea of what we want, “to feel happier” or “to be healthier”, but we are not clear on what that looks like for us and lack focus on what we need to do to get there. Having a clear idea of what our dreams look like helps us to be motivated and work toward our goals.

Being able to visualize and create something in your mind greatly increases your chance of being able to do so in your life. The areas of our brain used when performing a certain skill are the same ones used when imaging we are performing that same skill. Imagery can help to enhance performance of skills, achieve a desired emotional state, and achieve our life goals. To start using visualization in your life, begin by setting a very specific goal. Once you have gotten clear about what you want, sit quietly and imagine you have already achieved that goal. Imagine what your life would look like in as much detail as possible. Utilize all five senses as you visualize your life once you have achieved your goal. Be mindful of who you are with, what you are feeling, and what is in your environment. The more detail you can bring to your visualization the more effective it will be in your life. You can practice doing visualization just before going to bed and early in the morning after you wake up. If any doubts arise as you are visualizing, eliminate them and let them go.

If you are visualizing something that you have never actually experienced before it can be helpful to try and expose yourself to as much information in this area as possible. This can be through reading books, watching videos, visiting new places, or speaking to people who have experience in this new area. Repeated visualization enhances motivation and increases your problem solving skills and likelihood to take action toward your goals. While visualization is most typically practiced by sitting and imagining a desired outcome, there are other ways you can bring a practice of imagery into your life.

Try creating a vision board to help you visualize what you want to achieve. Create a collection of images that represent your goals in a place you can view them easily and on a daily basis. Regularly looking at these images that you have connected with your goals can offer the same benefits of regular visualization. You may also try practicing a daily affirmation. A positive affirmation can inspire you and help you find solutions to challenges that come your way. You might choose to pair a daily affirmation with your seated visualization practice. If it is easier to get started by simply listing your goals you can use that as a way to begin practicing visualization. Writing down and regularly reviewing your goals helps you create focus and clarity in your life. Being mindful of the goals you are striving for helps you work more purposefully in their direction. Visualization allows you to explore dreams of any size, no matter how impossible they may feel. Being mindful and continuously coming back to your visualization of the life you want can help you take the right steps in achieving your goals. Try making time to include visualization into your daily routine and see what impact it has on helping you reach your dreams!