Visualize it

Are you ready for this weeks challenge? I dropped off my daughter at girl scout camp this week. It was a surreal experience for me. The girls with their sleeping bags and backpacks watch with excitement as the counselors did welcome skits. From age 9 until college I spent every summer as a camper or counselor and loved my time away from my life to be surrounded by new friends and fun things. When I struggled with depression as a teen I would often sit in my room and sing camp songs or look through pictures or imagine myself back around the campfire. That ability to escape helped me through some really tough moments. This week I want us to work on using visualization as self care tool when we need a stress reliever or are having a rough moment. Take a deep breath. Close your eyes if you can. Now think about a wonderful place. It could be a memory like my camp or it could be somewhere you think would be absolutely peaceful and enjoyable. Now look around. What do you see? What do you hear? What do you smell. Can you feel where you are sitting? On a beach? In the woods? In a small café? Take a few mins to let your body and mind float away to that safe and peaceful place and enjoy the time there. Let us know where you went. How did it feel?

So the challenge this week: Take a few mins each day to visualize your safe and peaceful place. Are you up for the challenge?