Positive affirmations are sayings that everyone can and should incorporate into their daily lives. They are self-reflective and empowering expressions that, when properly sprinkled throughout the day, can be a large boost to your mental health. Studies have even shown that positive affirmations have the ability to change your worldviews, make you more productive, and increase your happiness!
A lot of us are guilty of adapting our minds to believing what we hear a lot of. If one of your coworkers continually comes into work and states that it is absolutely freezing in the office, you might notice that you start putting on an extra layer or two when you are getting ready for work. What your coworker says is not changing the actual temperature, but by repeating it enough, your brain starts to tout it as fact so you might start to feel a little chill when you walk in the door.
This is not something to be ashamed of, everyone does it!
But what happens when your inner monologue tends to be negative in nature?
For anyone who has experienced depression or anxiety, our inner monologue can be our own worst enemy. It has the ability to amplify our interior insecurities, magnifying their volume, and sometimes those thoughts follow us throughout the day. It can be a hard habit to break free from, especially if it has been ongoing for a long time and we have grown accustomed to its message.
Enter positive affirmations.
At this point, you may be asking yourself how a simple saying is going to make changes in your behaviors and energy levels. Well, just as our mind starts to tell us that the office is cold when our coworker constantly mentions it, our brain can also take positive statements and begin to turn them into beliefs and truths.
When properly used, positive affirmations can make a world of difference in your day to day lives, and they are easy to incorporate. You can even start doing this today, this hour!
Utilizing positive affirmations is simple. You find a phrase or saying that really resonates with you, and you make it your mantra. Pick an affirmation that truly makes you feel empowered. Your affirmation should reflect what you wish to gain in your interactions, spark positivity, and give you a quick boost of confidence.
When you find an affirmation that sticks with you, say it to yourself about 10 times to make sure that it feels right. Did you notice yourself feeling something when you said your affirmation? If so, you have the right one!
Some people like to repeat their affirmation throughout the course of the day, while others only recite their affirmation in times when their stressors are seemingly taking over. Whatever way you decide to utilize your affirmations is up to you, as long as you use it! The more you utilize your affirmation, the more your brain will start registering it as a truth.
For example, if you tend to have a lot of anxiety about staffing meetings at your place of work, write an affirmation on the notebook you take into your meetings. When you can feel your frustrations start to build, glance down at your affirmation, repeat it in your mind several times, and take a deep breath. Within a few meetings you may start to notice that your anxiety levels are lower than they used to be, and you feel more confident in speaking up and giving ideas.
That was just one example, but as you test out more affirmations, you will find that some may be more fitting for certain situations than others.
When you find an affirmation that you love, print it out!
Write it down!
Get yourself a pack of post-it notes in a bright, vibrant color and post your affirmation throughout your house. You could post your affirmation:
- On your bathroom mirror so you see it when you brush your teeth in the morning and again at night
- In your car, so if you end up feeling nervous or anxious while on the road, you can recite your mantra
- At your desk at work, so when tensions rise, you can look at your affirmation and recite it in your mind
- On the door leading out of your house so it is a charge of positivity and confidence as you go out into the world
There are no limits to where you can place your affirmation, but make sure to choose one that really resonates with you and your beliefs.
Examples of affirmations
I am strong and I will be able to get through whatever this day brings.
I am confident in my abilities to do my job, so I will do great things at work today.
I love myself in this moment, right now, for who I am and for what I am.
I am enough.
I am capable of anything that I set my mind to.
I am determined, able, and I will be resilient in my pursuit of my goals.
Tried these tips and not having success? Want to dive deeper? Sign up for our mailing list and receive our in-depth guide that explains the brain science behind positive affirmations, tips and techniques for making them more impactful, and free printable affirmation cards.
Photo by Binti Malu from Pexels
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