Chilling Out Through Visualization

Our thoughts are incredibly powerful, so much so, that we have the ability, through just our thoughts alone, to change how we feel in any given moment. Visualization is the practice of seeing in your mind's eye a scene that makes you feel good. But it's not just thinking of a scene, you engage your senses to really feel the experience of it. It's the interplay of seeing and feeling the visualization makes it even more effective.

To give it a try, start by sitting or lying down. It helps if you are in a calm and relaxed state. If you're not quite there yet, take a few minutes to recognize that you're intentionally slowing down. Slowing down your body, your breath and your mind. 

In a relaxed state now, start thinking about whatever it is that makes you feel good or that you desire. Allow yourself to feel how it would feel if you were there and it was real.Try to engage as many senses as you can. For example, if you imagine relaxing at the ocean, think about the sound of the crashing waves, the warm sun on your body and the smell of salt water.

If imagining is a challenge for you (and it is for many of us), try using prompts like looking at pictures that represent your vision or playing sounds of the place your envisioning. Save these where you can easily access them when you need to escape into your dreamland. Another option is to try guided meditation. Focus on the words of the meditation and as you see in your mind what is being said you will escape into the visual experience.