Have you been doing your daily positive affirmations? Well, you should! Here’s why

We’ve all heard the question “Have you tried affirmations?” at least once in our lives. Whether it has been from a therapist, a self-help blog, or a friend – people seem to love the simple little process of repeating positive phrases to themselves. Say what you want about them, there is an abundance of evidence that affirmations truly do work. They are also highly customizable to your own needs and allow you to decide how and when to use them. In fact, affirmations are more successful when they come from your own genuine desires and goals for healing. 

Scientifically speaking, affirmations work to slowly rewire the negative thought processes within your brain by challenging these thoughts with a conflicting and overwhelmingly positive message. Over time, the affirmations begin to alert the reward system in your brain to react to it the same way it would react to a treat (more about this can be read here). While the effects of affirmation are not quickly noticeable, the long-lasting outcomes reveal themselves in the way you begin to evaluate yourself in certain situations.

Here are some “starter” affirmations that our own Recovery Specialists recommend:

I am enough.
I am resilient. 
Today, I abandon my old habits and take up new, more positive ones. I am capable and deserving of a full recovery!

I will no longer be at war with my body. 
You’re doing the best you can with what you have and where you’re at. 
Like all things in life, in recovery, we make time for what we make time for. 

Here are some helpful steps for creating your personal mantra (from Affirmation Hacks): 

1. Start with the words “I am.” These are the two most powerful words in the English language.
2. Use the present tense.
3. State it in the positive.
4. Keep it brief.
5. Make it specific.
6. Include an action word ending with -ing.
7. Include at least one dynamic emotion or feeling word.

As previously mentioned, affirmations work best when they are personal to you and your journey. Even if you didn’t write it, you can always select one that resonates with you. 

Remember to repeat it to yourself daily!

If you need any more help with your affirmations or wish to start a recovery journey, email us at info@edrs.com or schedule a phone call.