The Power of Affirmations
If someone told me 3 years ago that what you repeatedly wish for, shows up in your life, I would have thought they were trying to convince me that I was doing something wrong with my life. Wish and you shall receive? Don’t you need to work hard and believe? In a different context, the energy you give out is the energy you will receive. If you’re constantly negative about yourself or your situation, you will attract like-minded people. How can you improve your mental health and ultimately change your life? This is where the power of affirmations comes in.
Affirmations by definition are: “the assertion that something exists or is true.” Cognitive behavioural therapy, also known as CBD, “is a type of psychotherapy in which negative patterns of thought about the self and the world are challenged in order to alter unwanted behaviour patterns.” Let’s combine these two. Through self-repetition of positive messages and ideas of one’s self, this helps one’s own cognitive behaviour and rewires your brain for better mental health.
As someone who has struggled with anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder, I noticed how necessary it was to incorporate positive ideas and people in my life. Certain negative patterns associated with all these “disorders” ( I put disorders in quotations because I do not associate myself as someone who has disorders or label myself based on my issues) did not allow me to succeed in my daily life. Little things from waking up early and feeling motivated to major things like functioning in society and contributing through work. In combination with my relational therapist and affirmations that I read at home, my life has significantly changed. In no way am I saying that affirmations is the only way you will change your mental state or grant you success overnight, but in combination of efforts to succeed through therapy (health care professional), hard work (consistently working towards your goals), and affirmations (repeatedly believing in positive messages) has been my formula for success.
Whether you believe in the basics of energy — negative and positive vibes or do good and good will happen to you, reading or reciting affirmations will change how you feel and attract what you want.
When I was first introduced to affirmations, I didn’t know it was a an actual concept nor something that has been researched. I was feeling down and didn’t have anyone to share it with, so I decided to read something that would uplift my spirits. I read an affirmation on Instagram by Payal aka Affirmation Addict. My therapist reassured me this is a great way to stay motivated. But, what I didn’t realize was that affirmations would transform my life in every aspect from my subconscious to bringing to life the goals I’ve been working towards.
In a scientific study, their preliminary research proved the following psychological benefits behind affirmations : “There are three main psychological explanations for why self-affirmation is beneficial: First, it’s simply enjoyable to dwell on what we value; second, when we’re feeling threatened by a particular criticism or failure, the technique reminds us of those things we value about ourselves more broadly, that are separate from the threatened aspect; third, by broadening the basis of our self-worth, it can help us regulate our emotions.” As well, subconscious changes were proven based on their research that, “although there’s a lot of objective evidence showing the benefits of engaging in self-affirmation, most of its effects seem to go on subconsciously.”
I will leave you with an affirmation that I hope resonates with you:
Remember, you are what you believe, and if you believe affirmations won’t work then don’t try them. But, if you’re slowly looking to improve your life and are open-minded to change, research some affirmations, and recite the ones that resonate with you. Remember to be gentle with yourself and that change takes time but this small step with daily affirmations will help you.
