The Power of Using Positive Daily Affirmations
2020 has proved to be a difficult and testing year so far. Most of us could use a dose of positivity right now to get us through the rest of the year. A popular trend recently is the use of positive affirmations.
Many self-help books boast about the powerful effects of using affirmations. However, the idea may make you feel a little awkward but it might be worth taking the time to try out a new approach to mental health.
Photo by Viktor Forgacs on Unsplash
Photo by Viktor Forgacs on Unsplash
What are positive affirmations?
Positive Affirmations refer to positive phrases or statements used to challenge negative or unhelpful thoughts.
During the present pandemic, positive thoughts are vital to our well-being. Even Forbes is joining the trend and has compiled a list of powerful positive affirmations to repeat out loud three times with your children.
Photo by Amanda Jones on Unsplash
Daily positive affirmations
- I cherish the extra time I get to spend with my family, and I am excited about creating more happy, unforgettable memories.
- I focus on opportunities over obstacles.
- I was created to blossom in my natural gifts and talents.
- I love my body for all the things it can do.
The practice and popularity of positive affirmations are based on widely accepted and well-established psychological theory, but require regular practice if you want to make lasting, long-term changes to the ways that you think and feel.
What are the benefits of daily affirmations?
- Self-affirmations have been shown to decrease health-deteriorating stress (Sherman et al., 2009; Critcher & Dunning, 2015);
- Self-affirmations have been used effectively in interventions that led people to increase their physical behavior (Cooke et al., 2014);
- They may help us to perceive otherwise “threatening” messages with less resistance, including interventions (Logel & Cohen, 2012);
- They can make us less likely to dismiss harmful health messages, responding instead to change for the better (Harris et al., 2007) and to eat more fruit and vegetables (Epton & Harris, 2008);
- They have been linked positively to academic achievement by mitigating GPA decline in students who feel left out at college (Layous et al., 2017);
- Self-affirmation has been demonstrated to lower stress and rumination (Koole et al., 1999; Weisenfeld et al., 2001).
Photo by Nathan Dumlao on Unsplash
Positive Affirmations To Get Through Tough Times
Positive affirmations can help us to respond in a less defensive and resistant way when we’re presented with threats. But more generally, an adaptive, broad sense of self makes us more resilient to difficulties when they arise. Whether it’s social pressures, health information that makes us feel uncomfortable, or feelings of exclusion, a broader self-concept can be a beneficial thing to have.
Photo by Ashley Whitlatch on Unsplash
Try these daily affirmations recommended by a Blogger:
- I believe in my ability to get through tough times.
- I will not stress over things I cannot control.
- The feelings in my body are healthy, and I fully accept them.
- I have everything I need within me.
- I am a loving human being.
- It’s okay that yesterday felt like a hard day.
- I am worthy of good things.
- I will be present and calm today.
- All of my feelings are okay.
- I get angry sometimes, but I am full of love.
- I can take things one day, or one hour, at a time.