Article: Focused visualization is a tool that can help you feel like you’re literally sitting in your happy place. Science has shown that the subconscious mind is unable to distinguish between a vivid visualization and an actual real-life experience. Try to recreate the details of this place in your mind’s eye. Pretend as though you’ve teleported yourself there so that you can see every vivid detail of your surroundings.  If you’re struggling with getting a mental vision of your happy place, try looking at a picture of the place for a few minutes before you begin visualizing. If viewing a picture of the actual place is not feasible, try finding a picture of a similar place online or cut out pictures from a magazine for you to view before beginning the process. The visualization doesn’t have to be an exact image; the point is to help you recreate an experience of happiness. As you imagine yourself in this place, focus on involving all five senses. Remember, the more senses that are involved, the more vivid the visualization becomes and the more real the experience feels.  Using all of your senses to make a visualization experience more vivid is often referred to as guided Imagery. Guided imagery is based on the concept that your body and mind are so connected that you can focus your thoughts to induce a relaxed state in your body. Let’s take the beach as an example of a happy place. You can begin by imagining that you are walking along the beach appreciating the beautiful blue water and vibrant white sand. You could then begin to incorporate your sense of touch by feeling the warmness of the sun on your skin and the coolness of the water on your feet as you dip your toes into the ocean. Use your sense of hearing by imagining the crash of the waves and the sounds of the seagulls as they fly above you. Focus on smelling the salt infused sea water that is so distinctive to the beach. Allow yourself to taste lemonade or the beverage that you bring with you to cool down during your visits to the beach. Try to completely immerse yourself into the visualization. When you get really good at the process, your body may even start to respond. For example, you might begin to salivate as you think about the sweet refreshing lemonade or you may begin to literally smell the salt air. Visualization may seem hard or ineffective when you first start, but keep practicing. Many people report that after a few practices, visualizing their happy place becomes second nature to them.  When you first begin using this technique, you may find your mind wandering off at times. When you catch yourself doing this, just begin to refocus on your happy place again. Sometimes the process is so relaxing that you may find yourself falling asleep. Recognize that this is a normal occurrence and continue to practice the exercise. Eventually you’ll be able to get through the exercise without falling asleep.

What is a summary?
Recognize the power of the mind. Begin visualizing by mentally seeing yourself in your happy place. Incorporate your other senses into the visualization process. Believe in the process.