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Affirmations

Affirmations are statements that we say to ourselves that can shift our minds in ways that can make us feel better about ourselves and our lives. They don't make our thoughts come true. Rather, Affirmations help us think in ways that make our lives better.

Researchers suggest that deliberate thought processes—like self-affirmations—can be made automatic over time (Paulhus & Coue, 1993). ​We also know from neuroplasticity studies that the human brain can change and grow, even into adulthood (Demarin & Morovic, 2014).

 

More specific to affirmations, the more we repeat these positive statements and the more we have these positive thoughts, the easier it can be to have these thoughts again in the future.

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Research suggests that affirmations can help us maintain our self-esteem in the context of threat (Critcher, Dunning, & Armor, 2010). For example, if a boss is harsh, critical, or dismissive, affirmations may help us continue to feel good about ourselves.

 

When we put this research together, the evidence is compelling...

                                                                               "Affirmations can be good for our well-being."​

How to Use Affirmations:

                                                           1. Say affirmations out loud.

​                                                           2. Use the present tense.

                                                           3. Try not to highlight the negative.

                                                           4. Choose meaningful affirmations.

People often use mental health affirmations during times in life when they’re dealing with difficult circumstances or when they are experiencing more negative self-talk than usual.

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Most of the time, a self-affirmation is something you write on your own, responding to whatever is going on in your life or whatever emotional challenge you are experiencing.

 

But sometimes, it can be helpful to consult a list of positive mental health affirmations written by others for inspiration.

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