Affirmations as Your Emotional First Aid Kit
On a bad day, affirmations can act like emotional antiseptics. They can clean the wound but won’t stitch it up.
“A moment of pause can change the course of your day.”
Affirmations and Emotional Spheres
People usually think affirmations should be general to cover all the bases. Nope. An affirmation that caters to work-related stress won’t necessarily work when you’re upset about a personal relationship.
“My self-worth isn’t tied to my work.”
The Amplification Factor
Imagine you’re already annoyed and then you hit your toe against a table leg. Ouch! The pain feels ten times worse, right? That’s the amplification effect. Now, what if you could reverse amplify by using affirmations? A simple affirmation like, “This too shall pass,” could make the pain recede faster mentally, changing the way you perceive it.
“Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional.”
The Timings – Do You Need a Set Schedule?
People ask me if they need to schedule their affirmations. What works better—morning affirmations or evening affirmations? Here’s my take: The best time for an affirmation is when you need it most.
“The best time for a new beginning is now.”
The Choice of Words — Why It’s More Than Semantics
Words like ‘can’t’, ‘won’t’, and ‘don’t’ have no place in affirmations. But what about subtler, undermining words like ‘try’? “I will try to be happy” plants the seed of potential failure. Say, “I choose happiness,” and see the difference.
“I don’t hope, I choose.”
Incorporating the Senses
Let’s get into the nitty-gritty of neuroplasticity. Affirmations that involve the senses can form new neural pathways faster.
“I feel the warm sun on my face and it makes me peaceful”?
The How-To
- Identify the Emotional Sphere: Are you feeling low because of work, relationships, or general existential dread?
- Use Precise Words: No undermining language allowed.
- Time It Right: When you feel the lowest, that’s your cue.
- Engage the Senses: Touch, see, hear your affirmations.
- Combat Amplification: Use affirmations to dial down mental amplification of problems.
The Method to the Madness
Is there a strategy or a particular order for saying affirmations? Well, they’re not a cake recipe, but if we’re getting into specifics, start with affirmations that address immediate concerns and then move on to general well-being.
“I start where I stand, and I stand where I choose.”
What About Repetition?
Hitting replay won’t dilute the message. The more you repeat an affirmation, the deeper it gets etched into your subconscious. But remember, repetition without belief is like a boat without water.
“It’s not the words that matter, it’s my belief in them.”
A Word for the Skeptics
Are affirmations a sugar pill? Even if they are, placebos have proven effective in numerous studies. If a sugar pill can alleviate physical pain, your affirmations, which come from a place of belief, surely hold power.
“Belief is the software that programs reality.”
“Today’s thoughts are tomorrow’s actions.”