Whether or not you realize it, you're constantly affirming things about yourself. Everything is an affirmation, from how you talk to how you think. And whether those affirmations are positive or negative, they constantly shape your reality.

That's why it's so important to be intentional about the affirmations you're telling yourself. By creating positive affirmations that reflect the life you want to live, you can begin to retrain your brain and inner voice to think more positively. As a result, you'll start seeing positive changes in your life and turn negative self-talk into positive self-love.

Affirmations and How They Work

Affirmations are statements that you repeat to yourself either out loud or in your head. And while they may seem like nothing more than words, they have a powerful impact on your subconscious mind.

When you repeat an affirmation to yourself, you're effectively planting a new thought in your mind. And with enough repetition, that new thought will begin to take root and grow. Eventually, it will become your dominant belief about yourself. And as your beliefs about yourself change, so does your reality.

Negative self-talk examples like "I'm not good enough" or "I'll never be successful" can hold you back from achieving your goals. But by replacing those negative thoughts with positive self-talk statements like "I am worthy" or "I am capable," you can begin to open yourself up to new possibilities.

Positive Self-Talk: How to Use it to Your Advantage

One of the main reasons affirmations are so powerful is because of the power of positive thinking. When you practice positive self-talk, you're actually changing your brain chemistry.

Neuroplasticity is the brain's ability to change and adapt in response to new experiences. And studies have shown that positive thinking can actually change the structure of your brain.

One study explored the connections between happiness and success. The study found that happy people are actually more likely to be successful because they're more likely to take care of their health, engage in helpful behavior, and persevere through difficult times.

More negative self-talk, on the other hand, can lead to anxiety and depression. So it's important to be mindful of the thoughts you're thinking and the words you're speaking.

Popular Advocates of Positive Thinking and How Affirmations Have Helped Them

Several well-known people swear by the power of positive thinking and affirmations.

For example, Oprah Winfrey is one of the most successful women in the world. And she credits her success, in part, to her positive outlook on life. One of the most famous sayings from Oprah goes: "Create the highest, grandest vision possible for your life because you become what you believe."

Similarly, author and motivational speaker Tony Robbins say that affirmations have helped him achieve success in life. "The power of positive thinking is the ability to generate a feeling of certainty in yourself when nothing in the environment supports you," he said.

I Am Affirmations and Mental Health

Positive thinking is more than just a feel-good exercise. It can also have a profound impact on your mental health. Studies have shown that practicing positive self-talk can help reduce stress, anxiety, and depression while increasing self-esteem, happiness, and overall life satisfaction. If you are struggling with mental health issues, affirmations can be a powerful tool to help you get through tough times.

Anxiety and Negative Thinking

Anxiety can be paralyzing. It can make it hard to focus, sleep, and enjoy your life. Affirmations can help you reframe your thinking and reduce stress if you're struggling with anxiety. When you think negative thoughts or engage in negative self-talk, stop and recite an affirmation. For example, if you're worried about a presentation at work, tell yourself, "I am well-prepared, and I will do a great job." If you're anxious about an upcoming test, tell yourself, "I am confident, and I know I will do well."

Depression

Depression can make you feel hopeless and like you're not good enough. If you're struggling with depression, affirmations can help you shift your thinking and start to see yourself in a more positive light. For example, if you're feeling down about your job, tell yourself, "I am doing my best, and I am valuable." If you're feeling down about your appearance, tell yourself, "I am beautiful, and I love myself."

Self-Esteem

Low self-esteem can make you feel like you're not good enough, smart enough, or worthy of love and respect. Low self-esteem can lead to a downward spiral of negative thinking and self-doubt. If you're struggling with low self-esteem, affirmations can give you a boost of confidence. For example, if you doubt your abilities, tell yourself, "I am capable, and I can do anything I set my mind to."

How to Create Effective Positive Affirmations That Work for You

When creating positive self-talk phrases, it's important to make them specific, personal, and present tense.

For example, instead of saying, "I will be successful," you would say, "I am a success." This small change makes a big difference because it's more likely to resonate with your subconscious mind.

It's also important to keep your affirmations short, simple, and to the point. The more complex they are, the less likely you will remember them. And if you can't remember them, you won't be able to repeat them often enough for them to take effect.

Finally, it's important to choose affirmations that reflect the life you want to live. If you want to be more confident, choose affirmations that reflect that. If you want to be happier, choose affirmations that reflect that.

By being intentional about the affirmations you choose, you can begin to see real changes in your life.

More Positive Self-Talk Examples That Can Help Improve Your Life

There are endless possibilities when it comes to creating affirmations. But to get you started, here are some examples of personal I Am affirmations that can help improve your life:

I Am Affirmations For Everyday Life

I am happy and healthy.

I am loved and supported.

I am worthy of love and respect.

I am capable of achieving anything I set my mind to.

Positive, like-minded people surround me.

I am grateful for all that I have.

I am abundant in all areas of my life.

I am living my best life.

I am making a positive difference in the world.

I am happy, peaceful, and content.

I Am Affirmations For Physical Health

I am in control of my health and well-being.

I am taking care of my body, and it is taking care of me.

I am making healthy choices that support my well-being.

I am deserving of good health and vitality.

I am surrounded by people and resources that support my health and well-being.

I am taking responsibility for my health and well-being.

I am committed to living a healthy and active lifestyle.

I am worthy of feeling good in my body.

I am confident and comfortable in my skin.

I am grateful for my strong and healthy body.

I Am Affirmations for Professionals

I am confident in my abilities and skills.

I am able to handle any challenge that comes my way.

I am appreciated for the work that I do.

I am valued for my contributions.

I am making a positive difference in my field.

I am proud of my work and the impact it has.

I am committed to excellence in all that I do.

I am rewarded for my hard work and dedication.

I am doing what I love and loving what I do.

I Am Affirmations For Parents

I am a loving and attentive parent.

I am patient and present with my children.

I am setting a good example for my children.

I am providing for my family and meeting their needs.

I am doing the best that I can as a parent.

I am creating a happy and healthy home for my family.

I am teaching my children how to be responsible and independent.

I am instilling values and morals in my children.

I am preparing my children for their future success.

I am grateful for my wonderful children.

I Am Affirmations For Students

I am smart and capable.

I am a good student, and I am doing my best.

I am deserving of good grades and academic success.

I am surrounded by people who support my academic goals.

I am taking responsibility for my education and my future.

I am committed to my studies and diligent in my work.

I am able to balance my schoolwork with my other commitments.

I am confident in my ability to succeed.

I am grateful for the opportunity to receive an education.

I am excited about learning new things and expanding my knowledge.

I Am Affirmations For Job Seekers

I am confident in my ability to find a good job.

I am attracting opportunities that are a good fit for me.

I am diligent and committed in my job search.

I am open to new possibilities and willing to take risks.

I am using my skills and talents to their fullest potential.

I am being creative and resourceful in my job search.

I am confident in my ability to interview well and land the job I want.

I am staying optimistic throughout the job search process.

I am grateful for the lessons I am learning during this time.

I am excited about the new opportunities that are coming my way.

I Am Affirmations For Entrepreneurs

I am confident in my ability to succeed as an entrepreneur.

I am passionate and committed to my business.

I am attracting customers and clients who are a good fit for my business.

I am providing value and making a difference with my business.

I am being creative and innovative in my business.

I am taking risks and making things happen.

I am growing and evolving as an entrepreneur.

I am proud of my business and the impact it is making.

I am excited about the future of my business.

I am grateful for my entrepreneurial journey.

I Am Affirmations For Relationships

I am attracting healthy and positive relationships into my life.

I am open to love, and I am worthy of being loved.

I am creating a loving and supportive relationship with my partner.

I am respecting and honoring my partner's needs and feelings.

I am communicating openly and honestly with my partner, friends, and family.

I am sharing my love and affection with my partner, friends, and family.

I am spending quality time with my partner.

I am being patient and understanding with my partner.

I am celebrating my relationships and all that we have together.

I am grateful for my wonderful circle of friends and family.

I Am Affirmations for Relaxation and Stress Relief

I am taking the time to relax and rejuvenate.

I am releasing all of the stress and tension that I am holding onto.

I am allowing myself to feel calm and peaceful.

I am letting go of all of the negativity in my life.

I am opening myself up to feel positive and optimistic.

I am filling my life with joy and happiness.

I am surrounded by people who support and love me.

I am grateful for all of the good in my life.

I am excited about the future and all that it holds for me.

I am living in the present moment and enjoying every moment.

How To Practice Affirmations Everyday

Now that you have a list of affirmations that you can use, it's time to start practicing them! Here are some tips on how to make affirmations and positive self-talk part of your daily routine:

• Wake up each day and recite your affirmations out loud.
• Write your affirmations in a journal or notebook and read them aloud daily.
• Make a vision board or collage with your affirmations and put it somewhere you will see it daily.
• Create a screensaver or background on your computer or phone with your affirmations.
• Listen to affirmation audio recordings or make your recording to listen to throughout the day.
• Carry around a small card or piece of paper with your affirmations written on it and read them whenever you have a free moment.
• Recite your affirmations in the mirror each day.
• Practice your affirmations with a friend or family member.

When to Practice Affirmations

There is no wrong time to practice affirmations, but there are certain times of day when they can be especially effective. Try reciting your affirmations first thing in the morning when you wake up or right before you go to bed at night. You can also recite them during breaks at work or anytime you need a boost of positive energy. The more you practice them, the more they will become part of your everyday thoughts and beliefs.

When practicing affirmations, feeling skeptical or doubtful about them is normal. However, if you stick with them and keep repeating them daily, eventually, they will start to feel more true to you. It takes time and practice to change your thoughts and beliefs like anything else. But if you are patient and persistent, eventually, you will see and feel the results in your life.

Bedtime Affirmations and BetterSleep

One of the most important things you can do for your health and well-being is to get enough sleep. But if you're like most people, you probably don't get as much sleep as you need. This can leave you feeling tired, stressed, and anxious.

One way to help you get the restful sleep you need is to practice affirmations before bed. This is a good time to affirm things like, "I am relaxed and at peace," or "I am releasing all stress and tension." As you repeat these affirmations to yourself, picture yourself in a peaceful and calm place. This can help your mind and body relax so you can fall asleep more easily.

Bedtime is also a good time to practice gratitude affirmations. For example, you might say, "I am grateful for my bed and the opportunity to rest and rejuvenate my body." As you repeat these affirmations, picture yourself surrounded by everything you are grateful for in your life. This can help you fall asleep with a sense of peace and calm.

If you have trouble sleeping, affirmations can be a helpful tool to add to your nightly routine. Give them a try and see how they work for you! BetterSleep has a library of sleep affirmations that can help you get the restful sleep you need. You can combine these affirmations with other sleep aids like meditation and aromatherapy to create a relaxing environment that will help you drift off to sleep.

When to Seek Help

There are situations when it's important to seek professional help, even if you are practicing affirmations:

• If you are struggling with depression, anxiety, or any other mental health disorder, affirmations can be a helpful part of your treatment plan, but they are not a substitute for professional help.
• If you have suicidal thoughts, please call your city's suicide hotline or go to the nearest emergency room.
• If you are in a dangerous or abusive situation, please call your local crisis center.
• If you are in a safe place and need someone to talk to, you can call your counselor, therapist, or doctor.

Affirmations can be a great tool for improving mental health, but they are not a cure-all. If you are struggling with your mental health, please seek professional help.