Meditation and Visualization Preferences

      As we come to the conclusion of this semester I contemplate what I've learned. I can't say that I enjoyed the specific exercises that we have done over the course of the past 8 weeks. But one thing I can say is that this class has helped me nail down what I do like and what does work for me. I do like meditation in many respects. I just have to change it up a bit so that it goes along with my beliefs as well. The Bible talks a lot about meditating on God's word. I can never say that I do that enough! I also like visualization exercises and think that they are useful on so many different levels for so many different scenarios. I have some things in my life that I want to work on in which visualization exercises would be really helpful. One is staying away from sugar. It sounds silly, but sugar can be very addicting and I am having a hard time with it right now. But if I take time to visualize myself saying no to sweets and saying yes to healthier choices (like fruit) then I will be more likely to succeed. The same goes for starting up a workout routine again. I was doing so good with that last year but I was thrown off of my routine when I moved and haven't been able to pick it up again in the same way. Visualization exercises can help me to get back on track with this as well. I was actually looking up visualization exercises for a sports nutrition class and found a really good article that I would like to share an excerpt from:

     "Research has shown that visualizing process is much more effective than visualizing end goals. You need to actually see yourself going step-by-step in achieving your habit. For example, if you want to go to the gym every morning, start your visualization from the moment you wake up. Imagine yourself going through your morning routine, driving to the gym, walking inside, lifting weights, and then eventually leaving. The more thoroughly you go through each step of the habit, the less likely you are to hit a snag along the way. Some people imagine themselves fit and healthy but they never actually see themselves doing the habits that it takes to actually becoming fit and healthy (Handel, 2011)."

     So visualization exercises in this sense are more focused on the action than on the end result. The only thing I will add is that I also think it is beneficial to imagine or visualize yourself reaching your end goal. For me that would be reaching my goal wait...finally! It's a wonderful vision to me and is very motivating. So I think the process and the goal are good visualizations. I think if I combine daily meditation with these visualization exercises I will be much better off.


Reference:

   Handel, S. (Nov, 2011). How to change habits with 20 minutes of visualization. Retrieved from http://www.theemotionmachine.com/how-to-change-habits-with-20-minutes-of-visualization