Chapter 1: The Science Behind Affirmations

If you've read our previous Weekly Practice issue focusing on gratitude, you might recall how our thoughts and thinking patterns influence our well-being. Engaging in gratitude practices yields numerous advantages, including the ability to disrupt ingrained habits and stimulate the release of pleasurable neurotransmitters like dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain.

Thanks to the remarkable adaptability of our brains, we can literally alter neural pathways and chemical balances, which can subsequently enhance our mood. This is something we can all appreciate in today’s world! Essentially, we have scientific evidence indicating that our thoughts, actions, and spoken words can significantly affect both our emotional states and overall health.

Before we delve deeper, it's essential to clarify: I'm not suggesting that our thoughts alone can "cure" issues such as depression or anxiety. While our thoughts hold substantial influence, those seeking alternative treatments for such conditions would benefit from examining their gut health and dietary choices. This might sound unconventional, but there's a growing body of research supporting this idea, which I wholeheartedly endorse! More on that will follow in future discussions.

Now, if our thoughts, words, and actions can indeed elevate our mood and health (as explored in this discussion on how thoughts can influence our genetic expression), perhaps it's time to consider affirmations more seriously. As a skeptic myself, I've often questioned the effectiveness and credibility of affirmations. So, what exactly are affirmations? They are essentially statements or phrases that reinforce one’s self-worth, encouraging individuals to reflect on their core values and fostering a broader self-perspective.

Stay with me here. I share your skepticism—if not more—when it comes to the notion of "positive thinking," especially when it borders on spiritual bypassing. Whenever someone advised me to recite affirmations like “I AM RICH, I AM RICH, I AM RICH” repeatedly until wealth manifests, I couldn't help but think of those so-called life coaches who promote this without recognizing the necessity of hard work.

While I don't dismiss the science of manifestation entirely, I am a realist; I believe that achieving our goals demands effort. This discussion isn't solely about manifesting dreams; it's about stimulating our brain's reward systems.

A study conducted at Oxford University revealed that verbalizing affirmations activates the ventral striatum and the ventromedial prefrontal cortex—brain regions associated with positive responses to enjoyable stimuli like delicious food, nostalgic images, or warm embraces. These areas showed significantly greater activation in participants exposed to affirmations compared to those who were not.

In addition to engaging the brain's reward centers, the study found that participants experienced:

• Reduced stress levels due to lower cortisol
• Enhanced confidence and overall well-being
• Improved work performance
• Greater openness to behavioral changes

Surprising, isn’t it? Perhaps affirmations aren't as far-fetched as we initially believed.

Section 1.1: How to Implement Affirmations

So, how can we effectively use affirmations? An affirmation can be a straightforward statement or phrase that encapsulates what you aspire to embody. Its impact is amplified when you write it down and display it somewhere you will see it frequently—many find it beneficial to practice this first thing in the morning. Here are a few focused examples:

• “I am resilient and comfortable in my own skin.”
• “I am a powerful, passionate member of my team.”
• “Nothing can hinder my journey as a writer.”

Later, when you receive that promotion, rather than attributing it to mere luck, you might reflect, “That’s because I am a powerful and passionate part of our team, and I feel at ease in my own skin!”

Let me conclude with the insightful words of Muhammad Ali: “It’s the repetition of affirmation that leads to belief. And once that belief becomes a deep conviction, things begin to happen.”

You are worthy of wonderful experiences, and the key lies within your mindset!

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