Timely affirmations have been shown to improve education, health, and relationship outcomes, with benefits that sometimes persist for months and years. Self-affirmations can also decrease stress, increase well being, improve academic performance and make people more open to behavior change. Self-affirmations affirm a person’s self-worth, often by having individuals reflect on core values, which may give them a broader view of the self. Positive affirmations can motivate you and boost your self-esteem.
Do affirmations really work?
Yes, they do work, but they don’t work overnight. This process will take at least one month, so don’t despair and do be consistent. It isn’t a magic overnight formula but studies have shown that when affirmations are written and repeated correctly, they are very powerful and do boost your self-esteem. Some therapists even suggest repeating them 3-5 times a day to be more effective.
One of the ways to make affirmations even more powerful is through visualization. Go to a quiet secluded place and relax. If you find it difficult to relax then try deep breathing or meditation. Close your eyes and play your pre-recorded affirmations to yourself. Envision them coming true and feel as if you are experiencing them. How do you feel? What does it look like? What do you look like? For example, in The Secret, by Rhonda Byrne, available on Neflix, they showed a man who was visualizing a car he wanted to buy. He visualized himself driving the car, touching it and felt as if it was his.