Why Positive Affirmations are a Healthy Way to Begin 2021
Shandra Martinez
| 3 min read
Positive affirmations are everywhere these days. You probably have a friend or two on social media who loves to post optimistic messages or memes each week, or maybe you’ve had cheery videos with think-positive messages pop up on your laptop or phone screen while you’re scrolling online.
Once the territory of motivational speakers and self-help gurus, positive affirmations have been gaining in popularity among people for the last several years – and with good reason. Repeating the right affirmations to yourself can change how you think, the way you feel, and even improve your overall outlook on life.
What are positive affirmations? Affirmations are really just a certain phrase, guiding principle or mantra that you repeat to yourself on a regular basis. Making the tone positive is the game-changing part, health experts say. When you regularly tell yourself something optimistic, it becomes part of your internal “self-talk” and thought process. The more you repeat any positive affirmation to yourself, the more ingrained and believable it becomes. In this way, daily affirmations channel the power of positive thinking into your everyday life as bite-sized phrases to reflect on and turn into actions.
The new year can be a great time to make this part of your life. Here are some tips for ringing in January with 31 days of positive affirmations, and why this could have an uplifting impact on your life.
Why positive affirmations are good for you. Studies have shown that fostering personality traits like optimism can play a big role in health and well-being, according to the Mayo Clinic. Focusing on the bright side by using daily positive affirmations can help you cope better with the stress of everyday life. This mindset can eventually lead to a long list of health benefits for your body and mind.
Some of these include:
- A longer life span
- Lower rates of depression
- Better resistance to colds and flu
- Improved mental health
- Better heart health
Get started on your positive affirmation journey. There are lots of examples of positive affirmations online and on social media. One of the easiest ways to start is by picking a theme for each week. Repeat your chosen phrase to yourself several times that first day, and when you come to a tough choice or are feeling stressed, let that affirmation help to guide you through the problem. Here are some ideas for January:
Week 1: “I am enough.” This one focuses on doing the best you can with the time that you have, but not expecting more than that from yourself – even if other people do.
Week 2: “Root for yourself, and for those around you.” Being your own cheerleader can take some practice. While you are at it, support the successes of those close to you.
Week 3: “I am afraid of nothing.” You might have to dig deep to find your courage. But once you do, let it shape your experiences with your career, your family and friends.
Week 4: “It is OK to fail. Keep trying.” Fear of failure may be keeping you from exploring friendships, job paths or new hobbies. Give yourself permission to fail as you move forward and expand your life.
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Photo credit: Getty
