Affirmations are positive statements that challenge negative or self-sabotaging thoughts. They are not based on any religious or spiritual beliefs and can be used for personal development, health, relationships, work and more. Affirmations are repeated over and over again, and just like exercising, they create new neural pathways in your brain. The more you practice affirmations, the more they will become your reality.
A positive affirmation can help you feel more powerful, hopeful and energetic. It can also encourage you to take action and make changes in your life. Taking regular action, however, can be the hardest part. As a result, it is important to be as realistic and practical with your affirmations as possible.
As you begin to write your affirmations, try to choose a few that are specific and aligned with the change you want to make in your life. For example, if you are looking to find a job, say “I am an effective communicator,” rather than “I will get a job.” This can be hard at first, but remember that positive affirmations require repetition. They are like seeds planted in soil, and the more you water them with positive self-talk, the more they will grow.
It can be helpful to make your affirmations present tense to avoid confusion with your own thoughts and actions. In addition, saying them out loud can reinforce their power. The more you repeat the affirmations, the more they will work to transform your brain and change your life.
The Cleveland Clinic suggests making affirmations a daily habit and finding a time of day that works best for you. Mornings are often a good choice, but some people like to read them before going to sleep or while working out. It’s also a good idea to be consistent, so don’t skip days.
To help you get into the affirmation mindset, it can be helpful to visualize yourself performing the affirmation in your mind. You can use a picture, video or other representation that makes sense for you. You can also add in gung-ho gestures, thumbs-up, clapping and other body language to reinforce the affirmation’s positive impact.
Once you have decided on the affirmations that speak to you, and a location or time of day to practice them, it’s important to stay focused. Repeating them mindlessly or with insufficient emotion will only make the process harder.
Try to recite your affirmations slowly, deliberately and with feeling, to allow the words to penetrate deeply into your consciousness. As you say each affirmation, visualize it being absorbed into your heart center. If you want to add some extra fun and excitement to your affirmation routine, sing along with them, rap or dance while you say them. It can be a great way to ground your affirmations in reality, helping you believe them more.
It may take some time for the new neural pathways to become established in your brain. In the meantime, you can reinforce your affirmations by taking action. If you are looking for a job, send out resumes; if you’re trying to lose weight, exercise and diet while saying your affirmations.