Affirmations are simply statements that are designed to create self-change in the individual’s life who uses them. They can serve as inspiration, as well as everyday reminders. They also serve to focus attention on goals throughout our day, in, which, in and of itself has the potential to promote positive and sustained self- change.
Your brain is constantly adapting and rewiring itself. Your thoughts, habits and behaviors influence this process. If certain thoughts and behaviors are repeated consistently and often enough, a strong connection called a neural pathway is created.
If we think of our brain as an extraordinary bustling city with lots of roads and pathways that are connected, we can imagine them lighting up every time we think, feel or do something. Some of these roads are well-traveled. These are your habits, your established ways of thinking, doing and feeling. Every time you make a choice, practice a particular task or feel a specific emotion, you strengthen this road, and it becomes easier for your brain to travel this pathway.
Below are some ways we can start changing our brain and creating healthier self -talk. Practice affirming yourself every day! ACTION IS KEY!
Start with 3 to 5 minutes at least twice a day.
Try saying affirmations upon waking up and getting into bed, for example.
Repeat each affirmation about 10 times.
Listen to yourself saying it, focusing on the words as they leave your mouth. As you say them, believe them to be true.
Ask a trusted loved one to help.
Listening to someone else repeat your affirmations may help reinforce your belief in them.
Make your routine consistent.
Try not to skip any days. If you meditate, affirmations can be a great addition to your daily practice.
Be patient.
It may take some time before you notice any changes, so stick with your practice!
Some examples of affirmations are:
I can cope with anything life throws at me. I am strong and resilient.
Learning new habits is possible and will change my life for the better.
I can cope with hardships and challenges in healthy ways which support my greater good.
Happiness is a choice. I base my happiness on my own accomplishments and the blessings I’ve been given.
When we feel good about ourselves and have a positive attitude, our lives tend to run more smoothly. Thinking positively can raise our vibrations.
I believe in affirmations so much so, that I’ve written a book on their power and how they changed my life, as well as most of my clients lives, especially with regards to addiction and recovery.
When we start taking care of ourselves, our thought habits, body and mind, positive things, such as renewed health, love, financial abundance and recovery of all kinds will happen.
ERICA SPIEGELMAN is a counselor, consultant, author, and motivational speaker who has made an indelible mark in the field of addiction recovery. She has founded a multi-media health and wellness platform, providing consulting and counseling solutions for clients by providing them with tools on how to reach emotional, mental and physical freedom. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Literature from the University of Arizona and a degree as a California State Certified Drug and Alcohol Counselor (CADAC-II) from University of California, Los Angeles. Erica works with several treatment centers in California, including the Living Rebos Treatment Center, Klean Treatment Center, and Passages Malibu. She is a regular contributor to online health outlets, writes for Maria Shriver, and and hosts her own weekly show Rewired Radio on RadioMD. She is the author of the best-selling book Rewired, The Rewired Life and her latest book 101 Affirmations for Addiction & Recovery.
Visit Erica online for resources, signed books, and more: http://ericaspiegelman.com/
