All products featured on Self are independently selected by our editors.
However, we may receive compensation from retailers and/or from purchases of products through these links.
If youve scrolled by such reels and rolled your eyes, thinkingas if,we get it.
Illustration of person on ladder looking at the sun
Privileged influencers attributing their cushy lives to good vibes isnt the most…inspirational (or believable) content.
But theres way more to it than magical or wishful thinking.
Heres why manifesting can actually workand how to go about it therightway.
Say youre writing a thesis about how invasive mosquitoes are becoming more prevalent in the Northeast, for example.
What are the odds?
You walk over, introduce yourself, and wind up interviewing this professor for your project.
Was it a coincidence you found the perfect expert in this random cafe?
Or did you manifest it (by training your brain to automatically help you get what you wanted)?
But then you decide, you know what, Iamgoing to be a vet.
You finally feel motivated to retake the GREs and reapply.
This was not the supernatural at play.
The universe didnt put you on the right path.
You activated certain cognitive brain networks that increased the likelihood of you manifesting your intention, Dr. Doty says.
Setting theright kindof intention makes all the difference.
Dr. Doty says people often make the mistake of creating intentions that are selfish or motivated by external affirmation.
As a result, your ability to manifest is limited, Dr. Doty says.
Human beings (and our brains) function optimally in the calm rest-and-digest modei.e.
So how can you engage your parasympathetic nervous system to become an A+ manifester?
By setting goals that are grounded in compassion, kindness, and generosity, Dr. Doty says.
Your body releases feel-good neurotransmitterslike oxytocinwhen you care for others, which stimulate your pleasure and reward centers.
Isnt that kind of selfish, I wondered, to have this dream where Im a published author?
He said its all about whats behind my objective.
If you tell yourself something is not possible then its not possible, he says.
So step one: Quit convincing yourself you cant do or have something.
The way you overcome that?
With positive affirmationsa.k.a short, encouraging statements about what youre capable of accomplishing.
If you think you dont have what it takes to run a half marathon?
Tell yourself you absolutely do, and youwillcross that finish line.
Then you want to embed your intention in your brain.
So attempt to say, look at, and think about your intention whenever you get the chance.
Start with a few minutes a couple of days a week.
Then ramp it up to every morning, and then a couple of times a day.
Finally, tryas best you canto manifest calmly.
So sit back, put your feet up, andstart reflectingon what you want your life to look like.
Be patient but persistent.
And, when in doubt, take everything in stride.
Ultimately, it will all work out as it should, Dr. Doty says.
Related:
Get more of SELF’s great mental health content delivered right to your inbox.
