5 Benefits of Visual Meditation – Daily Visual Meditation Experience by Photographer + Wellness Coach Maxwell Alexander – The Power of Art Therapy
A lot of people think that meditation means sitting still and not thinking about anything, but this isn’t true at all. Meditation can be practiced in many different ways, and one of the most fun and rewarding ways to practice it is with photography! In fact, with the right visual meditation techniques, you can practice mindfulness and get rid of stress at the same time that you spend time appreciating your favorite subjects!
Nature's Beauty
Images can be a powerful form of relaxation. In fact, studies have shown that looking at nature photography is one of the best ways to induce relaxation responses—the state in which your body and mind begin to slow down and release tension. When we can’t get outside, pictures provide an easy way to bring some serenity into our lives. And even when we are surrounded by chaos, simply having images nearby seems to help soothe our nerves. Whether you keep a nature photo on your desk or open an email from the Daily Visual Meditation Experience—having imagery around helps put you at ease.
Relaxation via Art Therapy
The act of taking time to relax has been shown to slow down breathing and lower blood pressure, which can help with stress management. Studies have also suggested that relaxation programs like visual meditation can improve sleep quality and potentially reduce pain. If you’re looking for a way to chill out, calm your nerves, or just have some peace and quiet, try visual meditation. It’s free and you can do it anywhere.
Boosting Creativity
One popular visual meditation exercise is to find a quiet space, take a look at one of the nature images from Maxwell's Daily Visual Meditation Collection. Next, you have to close your eyes and try to remember what you saw—you can create an image in your mind based on what you’ve captured through photography. This activity helps calm your mind while letting creativity flow. And when you open your eyes, there’s a new photograph for memories!
Calming Anxiety
Nature photography has been shown to have a calming, soothing effect on both body and mind. As you meditate with nature images in front of you, calm yourself by slowing your breathing or focusing on a point on your image. This way, you’ll be able to train your mind to focus on things that aren’t anxiety-inducing (like spiraling thoughts). Studies also show being around nature can help reduce stress. Looking at beautiful images of nature is like getting away from it all–yet right there in your backyard. Nature photography provides stress relief without having to book expensive therapy sessions or book an exotic getaway abroad!
Lowering Stress
When you use visual meditation, it will calm your nerves and help you lower your stress levels. Many people have trouble finding a way to relax and clear their minds from all of their troubles. When you practice visual meditation, it can help put you in a state that’s almost like being hypnotized. The best part is that, unlike other practices, it’s possible to learn how to do visual meditation alone in just 10 minutes. All you need is some time for yourself and a quiet space where no one else will bother you.
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Now that you’ve learned about different types of meditation, it’s up to you to decide which will work best for your needs. Choose one type and give it a try! There are no hard-and-fast rules about when or how long meditation should be done. Just set aside a small time every day to focus on one thing: yourself. Your health, happiness, and overall well-being depend on it. Use these tips as a guideline for visual meditation—then make sure to sit back and enjoy all its benefits!
