The Case for Daily Use of Positive Affirmations
For many (if not most) of us, using positive affirmations on a daily basis is the best way to overcome negative thoughts and experiences, and to build more positivity in our lives.
Using positive affirmations on a daily basis can help you develop a stronger sense of value, purpose and self. It is, however, important to note that the daily use of positive affirmations is most effective for the people who find it to be effective for themselves personally, either through disciplined practice or some other combination of practical means. This means that there are actually some people who may discover other more effective ways to build self esteem and positive productivity in their lives. For many (if not most) of us, using positive affirmations on a daily basis is the best way to overcome negative thoughts and experiences, and to build more positivity in our lives. Let’s explore the why behind that declaration.
Use of Positive Affirmations, According to Science
There have been several scientific studies over the years that have investigated the effectiveness of using positive affirmations on a daily basis. Research largely suggests that positive affirmations can lead to an increase in self-esteem and a reduction in negative thoughts for those who commit to using them on a daily basis.
One study, published in the journal "Cognitive Therapy and Research" in 2007, examined the effects of positive affirmations on a group of undergraduate students. The study lasted for 8 weeks and participants were randomly assigned to either a group that used positive affirmations daily or a control group. The participants in the affirmation group were asked to repeat a personal and positive statement, such as "I am a lovable person" for a period of 8 weeks. The results showed that the group that used positive affirmations reported an increase in self-esteem and a decrease in negative thoughts, compared to the control group.
Another study, published in the "Journal of Clinical Psychology" in 2009, examined the effectiveness of positive affirmations in a group of participants who had been diagnosed with clinical depression. The study lasted for 12 weeks and participants were randomly assigned to either an affirmation group or a control group. Participants in the affirmation group were asked to repeat positive affirmations, such as "I am capable and strong" for 10 minutes a day. The results showed that the group that used positive affirmations experienced a decrease in symptoms of depression, compared to the control group.
A third study, published in the "Journal of Gerontological Social Work" in 2017, examined the effects of positive affirmations on a group of older adults. The study lasted for 12 weeks and participants were randomly assigned to either an affirmation group or a control group. Participants in the affirmation group were asked to repeat positive affirmations such as "I am worthy and valuable" for 10 minutes a day. The results showed that the group that used positive affirmations reported an increase in self-esteem and a decrease in depression symptoms compared to the control group.
Another study, published in the "Journal of Child and Family Studies" in 2018, examined the effects of positive affirmations on a group of children between the ages of 8 and 12. The study lasted for 8 weeks and participants were randomly assigned to either an affirmation group or a control group. Participants in the affirmation group were asked to repeat positive affirmations such as "I am confident and capable" for 10 minutes a day. The results showed that the group that used positive affirmations reported an increase in self-esteem and a decrease in anxiety symptoms compared to the control group.
Key Reasons for Using Positive Affirmations
The key reasons for using positive affirmations are to change negative thought patterns, boost self-esteem, increase motivation, and promote overall well-being. Positive affirmations can help to counteract negative self-talk and thoughts, and replace them with more positive and empowering thoughts. They can also help to increase feelings of self-worth and self-confidence, which can lead to increased motivation and improved overall well-being. Let’s take a closer look at what that means.
Changing negative thought patterns: Negative thought patterns refer to repetitive, unhelpful thoughts that can be negative, critical, or self-defeating. Negative thoughts can lead to feelings of anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem. Changing negative thought patterns involves identifying and challenging these unhelpful thoughts, and replacing them with more positive and realistic thoughts. Positive affirmations can help to counteract negative self-talk and thoughts, and replace them with more positive and empowering thoughts.
Boosting self-esteem: Self-esteem refers to one's overall sense of self-worth and self-value. Low self-esteem can lead to feelings of insecurity, inadequacy, and poor self-image. Boosting self-esteem involves increasing one's sense of self-worth and self-acceptance. Positive affirmations can help to increase feelings of self-worth and self-confidence, which can lead to increased motivation and improved overall well-being.
Increasing motivation: Motivation refers to the drive and energy to achieve goals and pursue one's interests. Positive affirmations can increase motivation by increasing self-esteem and self-confidence, which can lead to a sense of empowerment and a belief in one's ability to achieve goals.
Promoting overall well-being: Overall well-being refers to a holistic sense of physical, mental, and emotional health and happiness. Positive affirmations can promote overall well-being by increasing self-esteem and self-confidence, reducing negative thoughts, and increasing motivation. Additionally, the sense of self-empowerment and self-acceptance that positive affirmations can bring can help to improve relationships, reduce stress, and increase feelings of satisfaction and fulfilment in life.
When you increase feelings of self-worth and self-confidence, it can lead to several potential benefits, including increased motivation and improved overall well-being. Some examples of these benefits include:
Improved performance: Research has shown that self-confidence is positively associated with performance in various domains, such as academic performance, athletic performance, and job performance. When people have a higher level of self-confidence, they tend to take on challenging tasks, persist in the face of difficulties, and achieve their goals more effectively.
Increased creativity: Studies have found that self-confidence is positively related to creativity. When people have a higher level of self-confidence, they tend to be more open to new ideas, more willing to take risks, and more likely to generate novel and valuable ideas.
Better decision making: Research has found that self-confidence is positively associated with decision-making. When people have a higher level of self-confidence, they tend to be more self-assured, more decisive, and more likely to make good decisions.
Greater resilience: Self-confidence has been found to be positively related to resilience, the ability to bounce back from adverse events. People with high self-confidence tend to be more optimistic, more self-reliant, and more able to cope with stress and adversity.
Improved relationships: High self-confidence has been found to be positively associated with better relationships. People with high self-confidence tend to be more assertive, more sociable, and more able to build and maintain positive relationships.
It is important to note that the use of positive affirmations, even on a disciplined daily basis, does not guarantee any of the outcomes listed above. These are simply potential outcomes you may expect to see, based on outcomes discovered in scientific research across a wide range of demographics.
As of this writing, more research is still needed to help us better understand the efficacy of positive affirmations as they are used by different types of people and in various different situations of life. For better or for worse, you could be living proof of what using positive affirmations can potentially do for millions of people. All you need to do is set your intention, and maintain discipline. And as you set out to change your life for the better, you could very well change the world.
Some Things to Remember
Here are some important things to remember when using positive affirmations:
Keep them specific: Use affirmations that are specific and relevant to your personal goals and needs.
Make them realistic: Use affirmations that are realistic and achievable, rather than overly grandiose or unrealistic.
Repeat them regularly: Repeat your affirmations regularly, ideally on a daily basis, to help embed them into your subconscious mind.
Use them in the present tense: Use affirmations in the present tense, as if they are already true, to help create a sense of reality and immediacy.
Personalise them: Use affirmations that are personalised to your individual needs and goals.
Be consistent: Be consistent in using affirmations to get the full benefits.
Use it in conjunction with other wellness practices: Positive affirmations should be used in conjunction with other wellness practices such as therapy, self-care practices, and a healthy lifestyle.
For More Information
If you would like to know more about how to practically apply the use of positive affirmations in your everyday life, sign up to our weekly newsletter today! You can expect to receive regular updates with fresh perspectives on different affirmations, resources and research guides, online courses, and special goods that inspire and uplift! Fill the form at the bottom of this page to subscribe for free.
