Both our perception and experience of ourselves and the world around us are shaped by our thoughts and beliefs. According to studies, approximately 80 per cent of our self-talk is negative. Imagine listening to a tape of whining, complaints, and criticisms for the entire day. What many individuals don't realise is that they are constantly listening to these kinds of thoughts in their heads.
We may be unaware of our programming since it has become so embedded in us. We may think statements like 'I'm not good at anything,' 'Life is hard,' or 'People can't be trusted' so often that we accept them as realities and stop questioning the possibility that things could be different.
The word affirmation is derived from the Latin ‘affirmare’, which means 'to strengthen and establish.' Affirmation statements reaffirm what we already know to be true. Positive affirmations are meant to reassure ourselves that things are fine, even if we don't feel that way at the time.
Positive affirmations have the ability to change people's lives. They're used in a variety of therapeutic paradigms, including cognitive behavioural therapy, which is used to treat depression. Positive affirmations are also a big part of a lot of recovery programmes.
Positive affirmations that are carefully formulated can 'rewire' our brains to break negative thought patterns. Positive affirmations, like exercise, help increase the feel-good hormones in our brains. Happy thoughts elicit positive feelings, which alter our physiology and improve our mental, emotional, and physical well-being.
To begin with, here are five positive affirmations to boost your mental health:
1. 'I am worthy of love, happiness, and fulfilment'
This affirmation can boost your self-worth and self-esteem. You are exactly who you think you are.
2. 'I have the power within me to create the life I desire'
This affirmation might assist you in realising that you are the only one who can create the life you desire. Choose ideas and activities that contribute positively to your life to honour your power of choice.
3. 'I am so grateful for my life and all its blessings'
An attitude of thankfulness may help you not only feel better and be more conscious of all the gifts you currently have, but it can also help you attract more wonderful things into your life.
4. 'I love and accept myself just the way I am'
Self-acceptance is a simple act that can have a huge impact on your life. If you want to have healthy relationships with others, you must first establish healthy connections with yourself.
5. 'I have positive, healthy, and supportive relationships with my loved ones'
We may remind ourselves to treat others with kindness, compassion, and respect by reminding ourselves that we want to have healthy and helpful connections in our life. It can also enable us to stand up for ourselves by establishing healthy interpersonal boundaries.
The more personal the affirmations are, the more effective they will be for you. Use the affirmations above as a starting point for crafting your own affirmation statements. Begin by detecting negative thought patterns and countering them with positive comments. For example, 'I'm not good at anything' could be rephrased as 'I always do my best.'
Affirmations work best when they are incorporated into a daily routine. Throughout the day, you can read, speak out, and think about your quotes. The importance of repetition cannot be overstated. The more you say it, the more likely it is that you will believe it.