Why a Vision Board May Be the Key to Your Success
If you’ve been trying to lose weight but have found the whole process a little frustrating, you may want to try building a vision board. And while focusing on a bunch of photos or magazine clippings to achieve a desired outcome might sound a little “woo woo” to some, there are actually real studies behind it!
What Is a Vision Board?
Simply put, a vision board can be anything from a DIY poster to a collection of images on your phone. It’s something you look at every day to keep yourself motivated and can include images like clothes you can’t wait to buy once you’ve reached your desired weight, healthy meals you want to cook, and how you’d like your body to look after achieving your weight loss goals.
These images should create feelings of positivity, motivation, and just a general good mood.
Does Visualization Really Work?
A vision board is a concrete way to help you visualize your way to success. And while a healthy diet and proper exercise habits are the most important factors when it comes to weight loss, visualization has some promising research behind it.
According to a 2014 study that looked at visualization and academic performance, a group of college students who practiced visualizing a positive outcome on a test or around grades scored higher than a control group. Another study from 2004 showed that participants who simply visualized exercises to increase finger strength improved their strength by 35 percent (while a group that actually did the exercises improved by 53 percent). Yet a third study showed that visualization can actually amp up or downplay perceived pain sensations.
What do these and other studies like them mean for you and your vision board? While researchers aren’t quite sure how visualization directly helps our bodies and brains create a desired outcome, they do know it helps. Using a vision board to help increase positive visualization during your weight loss journey may be the slight push you need to make it farther on your journey than you ever have before!