Affirmations are definitely trending but actually it's been around for a while. The modern day self affirmation talk has been around since about 1920.
So what is it. Generally speaking, it is a way to reprogram our subconscious mind to believe something we want about ourselves. Usually, it has to do with wealth, love, beauty or relationships.
Can it be true? There is research that says yes! Our subconscious mind plays a major role in our self actualization and the manifestation of what we want in our lives. Telling our subconscious what we want can get us there.
In the very least, when we feel good about ourselves, we are happier. When we feel crappy, we are not. Have you ever looked at yourself in the morning and thought "dang, I look good" but something negative crosses your path and ten minutes later, you look at yourself and think "dang, I look terrible"! Nothing happened physically in those ten minutes except what your mind is thinking.
So, what are they exactly?
Affirmations are simple statements that express what you want to happen. They can serve as reminders, goal focus or inspiration.
The Formula!
1. Affirmations should be written as an "I" statement.
"I am" or "I have" serve as identity statements. This makes the statements more personal and powerful for change. Some examples are "I love eating healthy food" "I exercise for fun" or "I am confident in my speaking skills".
2. Affirmations need to be written in the positive
You don't want to make negative statements such as "I will eat less sugar today". Instead, flip to the positive such as "I will eat more vegetables today".
3. Use emotional words in your statements
Using powerful, emotional adjectives connect to your emotional brain. This digs deeper into the subconscious. Instead of stating "I am exercising today", "I exercise because I know it will keep my body healthy" or "I am blessed and grateful to spend time with my family".
4. Write affirmations in the present tense
Instead of saying "I will lose ten pounds in two months", state "I am sexy and attractive". Instead of "My business will make money by the end of the year", try saying "I am grateful for my businesses successes".
This is the hardest part of positive affirmations. Stating something that hasn't happened yet, doesn't feel natural. Remember the point of this is to rewrite your subconscious thinking.
If you act as if something is true, think something is true, and experience the emotions associated with it coming true, then it is more likely for it to materialize in your life and for you to get those goals.
Research shows that if believe a certain way, then subconsciously, your mind will figure out what you need to do to get it. It's not magic, although our minds are pretty magical. Writing affirmations will also help you get out of your own way. It will put you on the path that you want instead of "blocking" it with giant subconscious boulders.
Write your own affirmations as opposed to the well meaning people who have apps for that. Writing your own is more personal and meaningful.
Say them at least daily but ideally, two to three times a day. Many people say them upon waking and before slumber.
Change them as needed or as new goals pop into your mind. Some people put them on their phone and attach a visual to help stir emotion. The more emotion you have in your affirmations, the more meaningful and deeper into your subconscious it will rest.
"A recent study from Carnegie Mellon reveals that self-affirmations can protect against the damaging effects of stress on problem-solving performance and counteract ego-depletion. Self-affirmations also enhance our task-related performances and make us more receptive to our mistakes. Additionally, self-affirmations have also been shown to assist regular users in rewriting self-fulfilling prophecies pertaining to social rejection."
-Psychology Today
So, if your'e on the fence with self-affirmations, I can say this...it can't hurt but it can certainly help you have a happier, more positive life.