You’ve probably heard about positive affirmations before, but if you haven’t given it a chance yet you might not know just how powerful they are. I’ve had plenty of books filled with affirmations lying around the house for years but it wasn’t until my four-year-old daughter started having terrible separation anxiety when going to preschool that they really became a part of my life.
The dialogue that we have with ourselves on a daily basis has a powerful impact on how we feel about ourselves. If you look in the mirror and find yourself complaining about a pimple on your face, the width of your hips or how you always fail at anything you start, then that is what your body will start believing. It doesn’t matter whether it’s true or not–if YOU think it’s true then your body will think it’s true.
The beauty of positive affirmations is that you can turn your thoughts around. Every day we have the opportunity to shift our mindset to a positive one. One positive thought in the morning will set an intention that will help shape the rest of the day.
Our attitudes, beliefs and intentions can help shape our experiences as they do our thoughts, actions and perceptions. Taking a few minutes to reflect on how you want to feel and what you want to accomplish goes a long way in creating a positive attitude for the day.
There are lots of different ways to make affirmations a part of your life. The secret to making it a habit is to find the way that works the best for you. One way to start is to grab a journal and write down some things you want to have a more positive attitude about such as “I finish everything I start,” “I am loveable and fully supported by the universe.” Take some time to think about it and then look at it every morning or write them on sticky notes and put them on your front door to grab on your way out or on your bathroom mirror to look at and repeat to yourself while you’re getting ready for the day.
If you can’t come up with anything on your own I suggest buying a pack of affirmation cards by Louise Hay. It’s like a deck of cards, which makes it fun for the kids to pick out a new affirmation every day too. Starting your day off with a positive affirmation will put you in the right mindset for a fabulous day!
Jacqueline Banks is a certified Holistic Health Counselor. She works with women in all stages of motherhood, from mothers struggling with conception to those trying to get their groove back after pregnancy to ensure the best health and nutrition for both mom and baby.
