Positive Affirmations: Too Good to Be True? (Part 2)

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Keep it real

Affirmations tend to have the most benefit when they center on specific traits or realistic, achievable changes you’d like to make to those traits.

Change is always possible, but some changes happen more easily than others. Affirmations alone can’t produce change in every situation, and if your affirmation focuses on a statement you don’t accept as true, it may have little effect.

Ultra-positive affirmations along the lines of “I am beautiful” and “I love myself each and every day” often fail because most people don’t truly believe those things.

More neutral or specific statements, such as “I love my smile and kind face” or “I treat myself with kindness every day,” generally prove more helpful.

Practice affirming yourself every day

To get the most benefit from affirmations, you’ll want to start a regular practice and make it a habit:

• Start with 3 to 5 minutes at least twice a day. Try saying affirmations upon waking up and getting into bed, for example.

• Repeat each affirmation about 10 times. Listen to yourself saying it, focusing on the words as they leave your mouth. As you say them, believe them to be true.

• Ask a trusted loved one to help. Listening to someone else repeat your affirmations may help reinforce your belief in them.

• Make your routine consistent. Try not to skip any days. If you meditate, affirmations can be a great addition to your daily practice.

• Be patient. It may take some time before you notice any changes, so stick with your practice!

When they might not work

The truth is, affirmations don’t work for everyone. And contrary to what some people suggest, positive thinking isn’t all-powerful.

Negative ideas about the self can certainly hold you back, but sometimes these ideas come from something that dwells a little deeper within.

Uncovering past experiences that are fueling deeply etched patterns of negative thinking is best done with help from a therapist.

Also keep in mind that low self-esteem and other negative thought patterns often relate to mental health concerns, including depression and anxiety.

A therapist can help you begin identifying potential causes of negative or unwanted thoughts and explore helpful coping strategies, which might include affirmations alongside other tools.

Conclusion

Practicing affirmations can activate the reward system in your brain, which can have an impact on the way you experience both emotional and physical pain.

Source: https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/do-affirmations-work

Will you practice some affirmations today? If yes for which concern?

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