- Affirmations are a way to send your subconscious mind positive messages as substitutes for negative self-talk, which can inhibit personal development and physical wellness. In the article, "The Ultimate Secrets of Truly Effective Affirmation Techniques," Song Chengxiang explains that affirmations tell the subconscious mind what to believe. The subconscious mind makes its belief a reality. Practice self-affirmations and positive thinking exercises to gain mental and physical vitality. You may experience life in a more balanced emotional way. Your material success takes root from the seeds you plant in your mind.
- Affirmations and positive thinking exercises have certain attributes. If you want to benefit from affirmations, look for these characteristics. Song Chengxiang explains that your subconscious mind has to believe the affirmation. If, for example, you tell yourself, "I weigh 120 pounds" and you weigh 200 pounds, your subconscious mind will not believe the message. It isn't true. Say, instead, "I choose to weigh 120 pounds." Choose affirmations that evoke emotions, which communicate with the subconscious mind. One way to trigger an emotional response is to visualize a happy outcome. Close your eyes and see yourself living in the home of your dreams or doing the work you enjoy. In time, that image will plant itself in your subconscious mind, which will believe the image is true. Affirmations should evoke an emotional response. See yourself in a situation and feel the happiness, love or satisfaction. Use affirmations and positive thinking exercises by making them present tense, personal to your life and in positive terms. Say, "I enjoy losing weight" instead of "I will not be overweight."
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Any phrase can be an affirmation. Practice the following affirmations then create your own based on your dreams and goals. Say a phrase to yourself, write it on a post-it note where you will see it on a regular basis, or doodle it when you daydream. Self esteem author, Karl Perera, gives you a place to start practicing affirmations. Perera's suggestions include, "I deserve happiness and success", "I have all that I need to change for the good" and "I forgive (fill in the blank)."
The truth about negative thoughts is that they usually are false. The website, RN Central, offers positive thinking exercises. If you think a negative idea, such as, "Nobody likes me," ask yourself if that statement is objectively true. If you have friends and family who care for you, make a list of those people. Even if there is only one person on the list -- like your mom -- you will prove your negative thought to be false. RN Central suggests balancing a negative thought with a positive thought. If, for example, you think, "I hate my life," erase that thought by thinking or saying, "I love my friends." Since your friends are part of your life, you will reinforce the goodness that is part of your life. Make a gratitude list. When you cannot find anything good in your life or when you feel fear about tomorrow, stop and take the time to write down what you feel grateful for. The act of writing and the elements on your list can help bring you out of a emotional downturn.
