The method of loci or emotional memory palace: A technique to promote well-being

If you heard someone say “I’m going to my happy palace” you would surely look at him strangely and even think that he was missing a screw. However, it is a technique with excellent results to combat anxiety, depression and to regain a balanced state of mind.

Normally, when we feel sad and want to cheer ourselves up, we think about some past experience that we found particularly rewarding. However, people suffering from depression have been shown to find this particularly difficult. In fact, it is a bit complicated for everyone, especially if you don’t have a little practice.

Why?

Basically because when these people try to remember happy moments they do so in an abstract way; that is, focusing on the causes of happiness, its meaning and the consequences. Obviously, in this way all the magic and positive potential of the memory is lost.

The good news is that all is not lost, the memory palace technique or method of loci will help you. In fact, this technique has been known for a long time; the ancient Greeks and Romans already used it, but not to promote well-being but to enhance memory. However, in recent years psychologists have used it to combat stress, anxiety and depression and have realized that it is very effective.

The method is quite simple and is based on spatial memory. What you should do is think about a place where you feel really good, like the house where you lived when you were little or a route that you particularly enjoy. Then take all the things you want to remember and place them around the house or the route you have chosen. Each stop along the way will be related to an object that will awaken a memory. The more bizarre and surreal you make everything, the better it will be because the memory will be enhanced.

If you do this several times, you will create a habit and in moments of stress or when you feel depressed or anxious, you will be able to seclude yourself in your palace of happy memories, which will qualitatively improve your mood, enhancing feelings of peace, tranquility and well-being.