Can Affirmations Really Work?
By Genevieve Cunningham
We live in a world full of advice about improving our lives. We hear all the advice: Exercise! Get more sleep! Get out in nature! And while all of these are really good tips, there may be other ways to improve our everyday experience without much effort at all. Chances are good that you've heard of affirmations. These are positive sayings that you either listen to or repeat to yourself every day. For some, they're a bit too new age. For others, they seem ridiculous. But is it possible that affirmations actually work? If you're serious about changing your life and health, take a look at whether affirmations should be a part of your life.
They Can Change Your Mood
The thing about affirmations is that they are consistently positive. When you say or listen to affirmations, you're telling yourself wonderful things about yourself. You're giving yourself a boost of confidence. This can significantly improve the way that you feel about yourself and your moods on a daily basis. It can help stabilize the mood swings that might come in a normal day. Does this matter? Surprisingly, it does. When we're able to stabilize our moods, we're capable of accomplishing more and focusing for longer.
They Can Improve Mental Health
Feeling good about yourself is a battle for those struggling with mental health. But with affirmations, this sort of negative self-esteem has the potential to disappear completely. It won't cure depression or schizophrenia or any other diagnosable disease, but it might help those who simply feel a bit blue. And for those who need this kind of self-esteem lift, it can be incredibly powerful. And the truth is that your self-esteem greatly impacts your general life. If you want to be successful, healthy, and productive, you need to feel confident in yourself. And luckily, simple affirmations may point you in the right direction.
They Can Improve Your Daily Lifestyle
A healthy lifestyle is crucial for overall wellness. If your habits aren't healthy, then you won't be healthy. It's very simple. Daily affirmations, especially when done at the beginning of the day, can help you make better decisions about your health all day long. Regular affirmations may turn into affirmations with slight stretching. And then a gentle walk. And then a healthy breakfast. Good habits can spiral just as quickly as bad habits, and affirmations may get a positive spiral going that improves your entire life.
Even if they originally sound silly, affirmations can work. Your thoughts make up so much of who you are and how you behave. Why not put positive thoughts in your head on purpose? If you want to give affirmations a try, start small. Choose just a sentence or two and repeat them in the morning. As you get more comfortable, you can alter your affirmations to fit your goals and lifestyle, and you'll be feeling better than ever in no time at all.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Alpharetta, Ga.