Looking in a mirror and congratulating yourself on your good qualities may feel silly or not come easily at first. But you don't have to mimic Stuart Smalley from Saturday Night Live ("I'm good enough, I'm smart enough, and doggone it, people like me") to benefit from self-affirmations. Research shows that positive self-talk can better your life in a multitude of ways.
The benefits of positive thinking
In the study, The psychology of change: self-affirmation and social psychological intervention, authors Cohen and Sherman found, "Timely affirmations have been shown to improve education, health, and relationship outcomes, with benefits that sometimes persist for months and years."
Dr. Ronald Alexander, a psychotherapist, mindfulness expert, clinical trainer, and author of Wise Mind, Open Mind says, "Positive affirmations are a powerful tool to shift unwholesome thinking by combining positive imagery with a series of powerful thoughts in order to overlay any negative, painful, or unwarranted patterns. The core of the practice is to assist a person to shift in the actual neuronal circuitry of their brain from the right prefrontal cortex, where feelings of negativity and depression reside to the left side that commands positive, outward-reaching emotions."
How to write your own self-affirmations
Besides feeling a little weird at first, there's nothing to lose from trying self-affirmations (if talking to yourself in a mirror seems too out there, try journaling your affirmations.) A few tips from Mind Tools:
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Focus on areas of your life you'd like to change
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Make your affirmations credible and achievable
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Say or write your affirmations in the present tense to help you believe the statement is true right now
20 affirmations to boost self-esteem
Whether you're looking to improve your self-worth, increase productivity, get rid of bad habits, or any combination of motivations, here are twenty affirmations to get you started.
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I am enough
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I choose what I become
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I have the power to change my story
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I am at peace with my life
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I am letting go of negativity
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I deserve to feel loved and happy
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I am making progress every day
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I am capable of amazing things
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I've made it through before and I'll make it through again
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I have the power to change my story
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I choose hope over fear
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I am free of worry and at peace with who I am
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My intelligence and wisdom grow every day
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I am on the best path for me
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My mind, body, and soul are fit and strong
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I feel gratitude for this beautiful life
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I believe in my potential
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Good things are coming my way
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I am in charge of how I feel
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I matter and what I have to offer this world also matters
The more you practice replacing negative thoughts with positive affirmations, the easier it gets. So, find a comfortable spot, access your mindful brain, and empower yourself.
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Sources:
Cohen GL, Sherman DK. The psychology of change: self-affirmation and social-psychological intervention. Annu Rev Psychol. 2014;65:333-71