Many people believe that repeating certain words can affect their reality. For example, saying that they are happy to be alive every day leads to increased gratitude and joy. No, it’s not because of magic but because the repetition changes your outlook. Similar to how following a daily exercise routine can improve your health, repeatedly saying positive statements can reprogram your thinking pattern. Over time, you begin to think and act differently.
This concept is also called positive affirmation. The practice involves saying positive phrases or statements to challenge unhelpful and negative thoughts. It is a widely-known concept with many people linking daily practice to the improvements of their lives. The idea is that positive affirmations help maintain your sense of self-integrity by acting in ways that will merit the acknowledgment. So if you say you are a responsible godfather, you act in such a way that is consistent with the statement, allowing you to feel deserving of the praise. In addition, there are multiple benefits connected to positive affirmations including how they can effectively manage stress.
Keep You Calm
Positive affirmations can help when practicing relaxing techniques. In breathing exercises, some people pay close attention to their breath or surroundings. But you can also repeat statements that will bring you peace even in a stressful environment. If you are stuck in a traffic jam and you are getting frustrated, you can breathe deeply and say, “I am calm and safe. Everything will be okay.” Such a statement can bring you a moment of calmness.
Boost Self-Esteem
Saying daily positive affirmations can affect how you view yourself. It can give you stronger self-worth, which will likely improve your well-being. In order for self-affirmation to be effective, you need to create statements that reflect your core personal values. These statements must focus on the actions you can take to also impact your self-identity. For example, some women may benefit from a statement like “I am a responsible and loving mother” to reflect the values they want to have as a parent. Other women may want to concentrate on their professional life with statements such as “I am a compassionate manager” or “I am a supportive leader.”
Manage Negative Feelings
Although it is normal to feel sad or afraid, constantly focusing on these negative emotions can be stressful. As soon as you have acknowledged what you are feeling, you can use positive affirmations to combat negative beliefs by replacing them with a different narrative. Someone who is nervous about pursuing their dreams can use the statement, “I am brave and passionate.” Positive affirmation doesn’t just address the fear they feel, but also reminds them that being passionate can help them reach their goals.
Change Your Perspective
Exercising your brain to establish new beliefs can shift your point of view. With positive statements, you can achieve a positive mindset by moving beyond the negative experiences. You begin to construct a more adaptive and hopeful narrative about the person you can be. For example, a person who is recovering from breaking up with their partner can tell themselves, “I completely accept and love who I am.” This kind of statement can serve as a reminder of the wonderful person they are.
Promote Kindness
Positive affirmations are not just limited to how you talk to yourself. You can also use them to affirm other people. You can do this anytime and you don’t need a special occasion to share thoughtful and positive messages. For example, you can tell someone how grateful you are that you met them. You can also express support for someone who is experiencing a challenging time in their life by saying, “I believe in you. I am here for you if you need my help.” Such encouraging words for someone in rehab can be enough to motivate them to work hard on their recovery. In addition, this act of kindness can make you feel better, improving your well-being.
Overcome Bad Habits
Using positive affirmations can be helpful in maintaining healthy habits. Since repeating these statements has the power to motivate you, they can also be useful for helping you achieve personal goals. If you want to improve your health by exercising regularly and eating more fruits and vegetables, you can benefit from the statement “I am responsible for looking after my health.” Instead of just focusing on the change in behavior—in this case, the increase in physical activity and diet—the positive statement emphasizes the responsibility of keeping yourself fit and healthy.
Practicing Self-Affirmations
When it comes to the frequency of affirming yourself, there is no definitive rule. But many people practice it daily, sometimes repeating the statements three to five times a day to reinforce the positive belief. Another method you can try is to write down the affirmations in your journal and say them while in front of a mirror.
Words are powerful. What you tell yourself can affect how you think and act, so limit your negative self-talk and replace them with positive ones. Over time, you’ll see the benefits in your well-being. Try it out yourself. Do daily positive affirmations and see how your perspective shifts, beliefs change, and life improves.
Stay updated with all the insights.
Navigate news, 1 email day.
Subscribe to Qrius
