The power of positive affirmations

Positive thinking, well managed, makes us more resistant to some mood disorders. Depression has many causes. However, thoughts of low self-esteem, of not being worthy or not being good enough, play an important role in depressive processes. With positive affirmations, you can change your thought process and make it work for you, not against you.

An assertion, as a rule, is a confident statement of a perceived truth. The truth is that the repetition of these types of truths, in the form of positive affirmations, has helped thousands of people make significant changes in their lives. However, the effects are not the same for everyone. So, why can one person benefit from an internal dialogue full of positive affirmations while another does not obtain any results from implementing this same strategy? We explore this question below.

The benefits of positive affirmations

An affirmation can work because it has the ability to motivate, excite and even program our mind to work based on a certain idea.. It doesn’t matter if there is reality behind the idea, the important thing is that the person gives it the nature of reality: the mind does not know the difference between what is real or fantasy. That’s what happens when you watch a movie and start laughing or crying: the mind identifies with the characters on the screen and reacts.

In addition, it helps us transform internal dialogue so that it is more positive and empowering, so that we adopt a better disposition on a daily basis. They can improve our mood and help us cope with adversity. with strength, confidence and resilience.

However, It is important not to fall into toxic positivism that forces us to find ourselves perpetually happy. We must allow ourselves to feel sadness and frustration and not feel guilty if we do not achieve the expected results. Remember that this is only an aid in the process.

Steps to make positive affirmations more effective and powerful

If a negative belief is deeply rooted in our unconscious mind it has the ability to override a positive statement, many in fact. Even if we are not aware of it. This is the reason why for many people affirmations do not seem to work, since their negative thinking patterns are so strong that they clash even with the positive thing that happens to them: they cancel it out in the emotional baggage.

The good news is that We can make positive affirmations work and triumph over negative thinking. To do this, psychotherapist Ronald Alexander proposes the following steps:

Make a list of what you have always thought are your negative qualities. Include any criticism that others have made of you that you have retained. Don’t judge whether this is true or not. We all have flaws, and that’s what makes us human. Simply take note of everything that comes to mind and look for a common theme, “I am unworthy” or whatever seems to you. When you write down the recurring belief, notice if you are holding on to it anywhere in your body. For example, do you feel tightness or fear in your heart or stomach?Write an affirmation about the positive aspect of your self-judgment. You can even use synonyms to find more powerful words to reinforce this statement. For example, instead of saying, “I am worthy,” you could say, “I am notable and appreciated.” After you’ve written your affirmation, ask someone you trust to read it to see if they have any suggestions for making it stronger. Keep in mind that the statement should be short and concise.Recite the positive affirmation out loud for about five minutes, three times a day, in the morning, at noon, and at night. An ideal time to do this is when you are getting ready in front of the mirror, so you can look at yourself while repeating the positive affirmation. Another option that helps reinforce the new belief is to write the affirmation several times in a notebook. See if what you write changes your writing style over time. This could be a clue to how your mind perceives the new concept.Anchor the positive affirmation to your body as you repeat it by placing your hand on the area that felt bothersome when you wrote the negative belief. in step one. Also “breathe” into the affirmation as you say or write it. By re-programming your mind, you want to give reality to the affirmation.Have someone you trust repeat your statement. If you can’t find someone you feel comfortable with, use your reflection in the mirror to act as a person who reinforces the healthy message. You can enhance the power of positive affirmations by you accompany them with a visualization exercise creative in which you see your goals fulfilled.

Identify your negative affirmations with meditation

Affirmations can be a powerful tool to help you change your mood and be the fulcrum on which the changes you want to make revolve. Also, keep in mind that they work best if you first identify the unhealthy belief that opposes it, if it exists.

Mindfulness meditation is a very effective method to help you uncover unconscious thought patterns. In addition, it allows you to categorize them, identifying what is healthy and what does not benefit you. With the practice of mindfulness we are not directly seeking change. What we aim to do is find the power and ability to, first, accept what we are, and then change and move towards what is possible.

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