You go to your local bookstore, and there is a self-help book everywhere you turn. If you decide to pick one of these books up, you will notice positive affirmations. It may seem odd to tell yourself how amazing you are when you do not feel that way. You may even think that this is for the birds. However, if you give this a chance, positive affirmations have the possibility of changing your life. This article will explore the benefits of positive affirmations within recovery and the science behind the thought processes.
What Are Positive Affirmations?
They are just as they sound. Positive affirmations are phrases or statements that challenge your negative thought processes. Practicing positive affirmations can be very simple. All you have to do is pick a phrase or sentence and repeat it to yourself.
Affirmations are used to help you visualize what you want out of your life. You are affirming what you believe and reprogramming your brain to change your thinking patterns. For example, you are training to run a marathon. You have to continue to train to be faster. This is the same with positive affirmations; you will not be quick to engage in them as everything takes practice and work to be better.
You can utilize positive affirmation for various reasons. Perhaps you need a boost in your self-esteem, or you struggle with negative self-talk. Whatever your reason, positive affirmations are sure to help.
What Is the Power of Positivity?
One of the biggest roadblocks to recovery is you. For a while, you used drugs and alcohol to mend your unwanted emotions. The addiction became the temporary fix for a permanent problem, and the thought of actually working through the problems was a foreign concept.
Practicing positivity can counter the negative self-doubt that occurs in your daily life. A positive attitude can change thought processes and take negative emotions out of the equation. It changes your focus and continues to allow space for growth. Positivity is like a reset button for negative thinking patterns.
How Can Positive Affirmations Help in Recovery?
Positive affirmations can have a significant impact on mental health. Engaging in affirmations can reverse the negative thinking that often occurs during recovery. Affirmations allow you to change your thought processes to reflect changes within your life.
All too often, when changing your life, you can become critical or negative during the process. Positive affirmations allow the brain to create a new belief system that will oppose the prior thought process and play an important role in increasing self-esteem, calming nerves, and developing mental strength. It is a powerful tool to decrease negative thought processes and to change your mood and state of mind.
How Do I Get Started?
Matching affirmations and self-care activities can help with finding direction within your recovery. One of the important things to practice is setting time for yourself each day to focus on your affirmations, even for only five minutes. This gives you a space for reflection to explore your thought patterns.
Choose one affirmation to begin your day. You can write it down and take it with you or perhaps set a reminder on your phone. Repeat the phrase throughout your day.
A common activity is to pair affirmations with yoga and meditation. Engaging in yoga can provide a calming space of healing. Adding affirmations within this space of focusing on your body is a key to finding a calm space within your life.
Visualize yourself having the affirmation within your life. See yourself with the thing that you desire and believe that it is already yours. Act as if you are already successful within that area. Spending time affirming yourself is the way to heal your energy from addiction.
Examples of Positive Affirmations
Maybe you think this sounds great but have no idea how to get started. Positive affirmations can be whatever you want them to be. There is no right or wrong way, and they are tailored to your recovery. Here are some examples to get you started:
- You are worthy of recovery
- One day at a time
- You have many talents
- You are the author of your own story
- You are in charge of your life
- You have come far in your recovery
- Today is going to be a good day
- You have a purpose
- You are an amazing human
Tying up Loose Ends
No matter where you are at within your recovery journey, adding positive affirmations can only benefit your thought process. Taking several minutes per day to focus on positive statements will only benefit and empower your journey. It is important to remember to be kind to yourself within this journey. You did not get to this space overnight; it will take effort to change those thought processes.
It has come to that point within your recovery that your thoughts need to change. Maybe you have seen this coming for a while but had no idea where to start. Positive affirmations can make a world of difference in your thought processes. Identifying positive thought processes to uplift your mood is important for overall wellness. You have struggled for too long, and it is time for you to put yourself first and affirm who you are. At The Guest House, we understand your struggle and have been there. We take great pride in meeting our guests right where they are in recovery. Call us today at (855) 483-7800 to learn how we can support you.