The Power of Affirmations during Tough Times

Success as an individual, whether you are an Entrepreneur, Business Owner or Leader of a team, will largely depend on your ability to power through tough times. In life, change is inevitable and that change includes both the amazing highs and devastating lows. When you are experiencing the lows in life, you need to find tools to help you and encourage you along the way; for, your chances of getting through to that success on the other side are much higher if you do. Affirmations are one proven tool to overcome tough times that you should add to your armor in fighting the mental, emotional, spiritual, and even physical battles life throws your way. Affirmations are particularly powerful in getting through tough times.

What are Affirmations?

For people who do not use affirmations, the thought and concept of affirmations can be a little strange. Many people picture it as looking at yourself in the mirror, pointing to yourself, and telling yourself things like “I’m awesome, I am so awesome” repetitively. Its bigger than that. Also, let it be noted, affirmations is not about creating some sort of false narrative about your life. Its deeper than that.

Affirmations are positive phrases or statements used to combat negative thought patterns. An affirmation is a short, powerful statement that allow you to consciously be in control of your thought process. An affirmation is carefully constructed and personal; and have a huge impact on your thinking in such a way that when you say them or think them consistently, they become the thoughts that shape your reality more positively.

What is the Science behind Affirmations?

Social Scientists have long researched whether there are real benefits of using affirmations or not; and the results show that there are indeed true advantages to them. Based on research, 80% of the 50,000 subconscious thoughts we think on any given day are prone to be negative ones. These negative thoughts are reinforced by things like the news for example, which tends to be mostly bad, things a person may have heard about ourselves growing up and the challenging circumstances that a person may currently be enduring.

Over the years, Neuroscientist have conducted deep, intricate and vast studies on affirmations and the larger realm of positive thinking; which has included MRIs and other brain scanning techniques. This quantitative research has undoubtedly proven affirmations actually activate the reward centres–ventral striatum (VS) and ventromedial prefrontal cortex (VMPFC)—both areas of your brain that play a part in pleasure. But, for those who have less interest in the medical/scientific terminology… just know based on research, affirmations do indeed play a role in changing your brain, your cells, and even your genes; and this is why some of the most high achieving people practice the use of affirmations!

That means that resultingly, affirmations have the potential to decrease stress, increase overall well being, improve academic and/or work performance and make people more open to behavior change that will lead them down a better path.

I like to think of it this way: Just like a weak person can make themselves stronger through deliberate exercise and training (and there is a science to it). A person of weak thoughts can strengthen their mind through the exercise of careful and right thinking (also backed by science as well).

How to Use Affirmations?

The key to affirmations is consistency and commitment. It’s not a one and done type of exercise. It’s a good idea to write them down, screenshot, or print them out so that you can keep them somewhere you’ll see & use them daily. When we’re under a lot of stress, we tend to forget things, so it’s useful to have your list of affirmations in a convenient place.

Most people like to repeat their affirmations throughout the day, especially during the height of stressful times. You can read them silently or out loud as you meditate, pray, or yes I’ll ay it….look in the mirror pointing to yourself. You can also write them down repetitively in a journal or notebook.

I encourage you to try to make a daily habit of reading or writing your affirmations at the same time every day (first thing in the morning and before bed). Doing this consistently will help to reinforce the positive thoughts and feelings that you’re trying to build.

If you are experiencing challenging times (as we all are, on some level living through a pandemic), I invite you to make use of 20 affirmations I have created for you. You can fill in the form below to be directed to a link for this free download. If you are interested in further coaching, do not hesitate to contact me.

Disclaimer: For those of you who are experiencing deeper symptoms due to mental illness, please seek a mental healthcare professional. Affirmations can still be part of your toolkit, but more support may be necessary.

Until Next Times, In Greatness,

Coach Shara

Get access to your FREE list of Affirmations for Challenging Times below!