The Power of Positive Affirmations (2024)

FAQs

Do positive affirmations actually work? ›

Positive affirmations are a self-help strategy that puts that saying into practice. These daily sayings can help you overcome self-doubt, self-sabotage and fear. Psychologist Lauren Alexander, PhD, explains how daily positive affirmations can help you face the world with a belief in yourself and your abilities.

Basically, positive affirmations are more about coping with the threat to our self-image, than coping with the threat itself. Self-affirmations are more than just coping with threats. They help us build a positive narrative of our self-identity.

Without concrete actions, positive affirmations risk becoming empty words. Additionally, positive affirmations can backfire, especially for those with low self-esteem, leading to worse moods. The same principle applies to mental health.

Positive affirmations won't work if you don't act and put in your best effort. These phrases boost motivation and self-esteem , but you must be the one to follow through. They also might not help if you're experiencing mental health concerns or unhealed trauma.

It's a statement that tells you that a goal or state is already happening. And sometimes, a little voice, your inner voice, appears — to let you know that what you've just affirmed is not real, it's not true, and you don't believe it.

This may sound too simple; repeating the same sentences won't change anything around you. But research shows that positive thinking can rewire your brain, changing the way you feel about things. Affirmations work because of neuroplasticity, or the brain's ability to adapt to new situations.

If you frequently find yourself getting caught up in negative self-talk, positive affirmations can be used to combat these often subconscious patterns and replace them with more adaptive narratives.

To get the most benefit from affirmations, you'll want to start a regular practice and make it a habit: Start with 3 to 5 minutes at least twice a day. Try saying affirmations upon waking up and getting into bed, for example. Repeat each affirmation about 10 times.

What hurts words of affirmation? ›

People whose primary love language is words of affirmation are often extremely wounded and hurt by gaslighting, narcissism, and emotional abuse. Negative words, accusations, and criticisms are like daggers to their heart.

“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” “You will never win if you never begin.” “I have found that if you love life, life will love you back.” “The only place where success comes before work is in the dictionary.”

If positive affirmations don't work, what should we try instead? I've found bridge thoughts (also called ladder thoughts) to be way more useful. I first learned this concept from Brooke Castillo (who has an amazing podcast, by the way).

You can either say your affirmations out loud or you can write them down. Either way, most practitioners recommend that you repeat each affirmation (if you have more than one) ten or more times. However, if this starts to get tedious, don't feel too concerned about reducing the number of repetitions.

It can take between 22 and 66 days to see results from a sleep affirmation practice. The exact amount of time depends on each person's subconscious mind. But remember: This practice is only helpful if actions follow. You can't rely solely on affirmations to create the changes you want to see.

Affirmations are positive statements that help you deal with negative feelings, thoughts, and situations. This may sound too simple; repeating the same sentences won't change anything around you. But research shows that positive thinking can rewire your brain, changing the way you feel about things.

Positive affirmations are a form of self-help. Practicing daily positive affirmations can help you overcome fear and self-doubt and reduce self-sabotage. Daily positive affirmations help you believe in yourself and what you're capable of achieving.

You may feel as though you do not believe these affirmations and that what you are doing is “cringy” or just simply not working. But that is far from the truth. Speaking affirmations out loud is an immensely powerful practice, more so than writing or reading affirmations to yourself.