Making Meditation and Visualization Routines Purposeful

Understanding the differences between meditation and visualization practices can help you create a purposeful daily routine. Consistent routines help you develop life skills like resiliency, stress management, mindfulness, and motivation. Routines can also be a supportive road-map to achieving goals. Knowing what and how you want to practice is the first step in making your meditation and visualization routine purposeful.

Creating a Purposeful Routine

Creating a purposeful routine starts with knowing what you want. Ask yourself, “What do I want from my daily practice?” Make a list. Do you desire more energy? Better health? Stress relief? Or are you ready to reach a particular goal like a personal best in a sport, or raising your grade point average in school? Maybe you’ve set out to find a new job or create a website for your small business and a daily schedule or routine is needed. Once you’ve made your list, you can start creating the routine that best supports your focus.

Wellness Routines with Meditation and Visualization

If you want a wellness routine that helps you feel more energized, for example, try a visualization that mentally rehearses you moving through your day with energy. The Veraki app has several to choose from, including Create a New Habit and Vitality and Strength.

If you’re desiring to be more mindful, start with a basic meditation routine that focuses on staying present with your breath or observing your thoughts. For example: set a timer for at least 5 minutes, close your eyes, and feel the breath moving in and out of your lungs. Meditation doesn’t require you to change anything. Just observe and continue to bring your focus back to the breath.

Goal Setting Routines with Meditation and Visualization

If you have a particular goal in mind, ask yourself the following questions:

• how do you want to feel during your routine or schedule?
• what mental and physical skills do you need for this goal?
• why is this goal important?

From these questions, try adding visualizations into your routine that help you mentally rehearse the steps to take. Visualize how you feel while completing the steps. Or use a visualization that prepares your mindset for the day and keeps you motivated.

You may also choose to use a meditation for your goal setting routine so you can feel centered and focused along the way.

Purposeful Routines are More Effective

Meditation and visualization practices can be used purposely in your daily routine once you know your focus. Then, choose the type of visualization that supports what you want, like mental rehearsals, wellness-inspired visualizations, motivational, or relaxation practices. Finally, determine if a general meditation practice needs to be included for centering yourself and calming the extra noise from your thoughts. Taking the time to assess which meditation and visualization is needed in your routine will make your daily practice more effective.