Are Affirmations Backed by Science?
The study, Self-affirmation activates brain systems associated with self-related processing and reward and is reinforced by future orientation discovered that engaging in affirmations activates brain regions associated with self-related processing and reward.
“Change your thoughts and you change your world.”
— Norman Vincent Peale
What Goes On in the Brain?
During self-affirmation, the ventral striatum and ventromedial prefrontal cortex light up. These are big terms, but they’re basically your brain’s “reward centers.” So, when you’re affirming your core values, it’s like your brain is giving you a high-five.
“Self-love is not selfish; you cannot truly love another until you know how to love yourself.”
— Unknown
How Do Future-Oriented Affirmations Stand Out?
This study shows that future-oriented affirmations seem to amplify the effects. It’s like your brain loves a good plan and rewards you for thinking about how awesome you’ll be. Medial prefrontal and posterior cingulate cortex activity increases, suggesting that you’re really getting into the affirmation on a personal level.
“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.”
— Chinese Proverb
Is There an Actual Life Impact?
Reduced sedentary behavior was observed a month after participants engaged in self-affirmation. So yeah, this isn’t just feel-good science. It has real-world implications. The more you affirm, the more likely you’re going to get up and do stuff.
“Action is the foundational key to all success.”
— Pablo Picasso
When is the Best Time to Affirm?
The study doesn’t give a precise time, but given that future-oriented affirmations are more potent, perhaps doing your affirmations in the morning, as you plan your day, would make sense.
“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”
— Eleanor Roosevelt
Do All Affirmations Work the Same?
Nope. The study specifically used affirmations related to the participants’ top-ranked values. So, not just any affirmation will do. It has to resonate with you.
“To thine own self be true.”
— William Shakespeare
So, How Can You Get the Most Out of Affirmations?
- Personalize Your Affirmations: They need to be about your core values or goals.
- Be Future-Oriented: Think ahead. Where do you see yourself?
- Consistent Practice is Key: The research underscores that sticking to your affirmations leads to lasting changes.
“Consistency is the last refuge of the unimaginative.”
— Oscar Wilde (Don’t listen to Oscar on this one; consistency is key here.)
That’s about the gist of it, folks. Affirmations aren’t just self-help mumbo jumbo; they have scientific backing.