‘Life is really very simple.
What we give out, we get back.
Every thought we think, is creating our future’.
Louise Hay
During my life, I have been drawn to learning about how intentions and affirmations impact our brain and everyday life. I’ve read hundreds of books, undertaken courses and attended talks and lectures. All of this leads me to understand that what we focus our attention on guides our lives in ways that are truly amazing.
What are affirmations?
They are positive phrases or statements spoken in the present tense that can be used to challenge negative or unhelpful thoughts and beliefs about yourself or your life. They can alter your unconscious thoughts and how your brain looks at your daily life. Repeated, they can replace negative self-talk and mean that you act in ways more likely to support the affirmation in becoming reality. So, affirmations can change the way you behave! These powerful words form a positive statement that can tap into your unconscious mind providing drive and motivation towards a desired outcome. There is MRI evidence suggesting changes to some of the neural pathways when people practice self-affirmation (Cascio et al., 2016).
The Science behind Affirmations: The brain looks for patterns.
So, here’s the science behind why affirmations can be so powerful. Our brain is continually seeking patterns to make sense of the world. Patterns allow the brain to take lots of information and make sense of it in the neocortex area which is the centre for our higher brain functions. Detecting patterns is an important part of how we learn and make decisions. The patterns that the brain seeks help us to impose meaning to every day and to fill in any blanks in the information to hand. It is a totally unconscious process and happens instantly. It is our brains way of creating meaning by constantly seeking and recognising patterns.
How is this information useful? Why would we use affirmations?
Knowing this means that we can consciously create patterns for the brain to latch onto. We are unaware of the unconscious way that our brain connects to patterns so we can create our own patterns to order our world and our daily lives. Our ability to easily make connections means that we can create a pattern for a brain to follow by repeating affirmations. It does need to be a continual process day after day to help the brain recognise the pattern. By continually repeating affirmations or mantras, we provide the patterns and the guidance to for our brain.
It does take a bit of effort. I used to write my affirmations on stick it notes and put them on my bathroom mirror so they were one of the first things I saw each morning. Affirmations can be thought, spoken or chanted and if repeated enough can change the way we think or act in a positive way. Consciously focusing on positive thoughts and affirmations, over time can replace any negative self-talk motivating us to move towards achievements or goals, change negative thinking patterns and replace them with positive ones.
Studies show that affirmations can reduce stress, help us achieve goals, increase our physical activity or eat more healthily, achieve better results, make us more resilient and more accepting of ourselves. They are also designed to encourage an optimistic outlook on life.
‘I am open to new and wonderful challenges,
Life brings me only good experiences‘
Louise Hay
How do we ensure that our affirmations are powerful?
After the cancer diagnosis, I wrote a couple of affirmations on a card that I carried in my purse. I looked at them both a few times every day. I also attached them to my bathroom mirror. One was focused on my body healing and repairing itself after all the surgery and treatment, the other was focused on my immune system being strong and protective of further disease. I wanted to be sure that I was thinking and saying my affirmations during the day every day. Some people put them as desktops on their PC or have them as a screen saver on their phone.
Practising positive affirmations can be extremely simple, all you need to do is decide on the words for your phrase and repeat it to yourself. Affirmations do require regular practice if you want to make lasting change to your life or the way that you feel.
Repeat your affirmations daily and truly believe the words you are saying. Become emotionally involved and start to see, hear and feel that the affirmation is true. What would your life be like if your affirmation was true? Live from the place of the affirmation.
Telling yourself that you are a beautiful and powerful women may feel a little strange at first and take some getting used to. You’ll be surprised at how quickly it becomes part of your daily routine and feels quite natural.
Starting you day with a 10-minute positive affirmation meditation can be very powerful. Just closing out the world, going inside and repeating your chosen affirmation again and again for 10 minutes. If your mind wonders, that’s OK, that’s what minds do. Just gently bring it back to repetition of your chosen affirmation.
Here are some affirmation examples. Create some of your own. Make sure that they have meaning for you.
I choose to be happy and fulfilled
I am happy and healthy
I am surrounded by love from my family and friends
I am strong and resilient
I decide how I feel
I accept and love myself
I am in control of my life
When I go to bed at night, I can relax knowing everything is as it should be
I can handle anything that comes my way
What other examples have you created?
Much Love
Jennifer