As we go into the new year, most people are drafting up a list of New Year’s resolutions to follow (or not follow) as best they can. But what good are resolutions if your mindset remains in a negative, self-doubting, or insecure place? Shifting your mindset with positive affirmations can help improve your mental health and can even help you reach your New Year’s resolutions. Keep reading to learn more about the power of affirmations, how they can improve your mental health, and 5 examples to get you started today.
What Are Positive Affirmations?
Affirmations are positive sayings or ideas that you personally abide by. You can repeat your affirmations in your head throughout the day, in the mirror as you get ready in the morning and evening, in your journal. For best results, we recommend all three! Whatever works for you to help make your affirmations stick. Writing, saying, and repeating your affirmations helps to set an intention for your behaviors, actions, or mood, and increases the odds of fulfilling that affirmation during the day.
For example, writing “have a great day” on the bathroom mirror can put it in your head to try and have a good day. The effect of reading, saying, and writing this intention makes it more likely that you will have a great day.
Positive Affirmations Shift Your Mindset
Creating a set of 3-5 affirmations that coincide with your values and vision for your best life can work wonders in shifting your mindset. These affirmations impact how you think and act throughout the year and however long you keep practicing them.
One reason why so many resolutions fail is that people don’t take the time to shift their mindsets in a way that supports their resolution. Practicing your affirmations could be a New Year’s resolution or goal that you set for yourself, and following through with it can help you reach your other goals for 2023 as well.
Read more about setting mental health goals for 2023 here!
Your affirmations can be simple, like the examples we have listed below. They can also be something you create with your therapist or psychiatrist to tailor to your specific mental health goals. Either way works, just so long as your affirmations are important to you and aligned with your values and vision for yourself. Adjusting how you think about yourself and your mental health can significantly change your emotional and mental well-being throughout the year.
5 Examples of Positive Affirmations
1. It’s okay to say no
Whether physical, emotional, or mental, all boundaries are important. However, setting boundaries takes a lot of inner patience and reflection to discover what you need. When you pinpoint what you need to protect your mental health, you realize what situations require you to say no, which is very liberating.
You can learn more about making healthy boundaries here!
Knowing your limits allows you to uphold a healthier environment for your mental health. It also helps you to foster healthy relationships with others. You deserve to put yourself first. One way to do that is to remember that it is okay to say no.
2. Only you can define who you are
The idea that only you can define who you are can feel difficult when you’re living with different mental health conditions. However, it’s important to remember that no condition defines who you are overall. The only thing that can decide who you are, including your values, morals, and what makes you unique, is you. No person or condition can take that autonomy away from you.
3. Let go of what isn’t working
One of the most popular New Year’s resolutions is letting go of things from the year before. If something isn’t serving you emotionally, mentally, or physically, consider if it is worth having it in your life.
Consider Marie Kondo and her idea that the things you possess should bring you joy. If something doesn’t bring joy this year, it may not be something you need in your life. Be mindful of letting go of what isn’t working, and see how your life changes.
4. You deserve patience
This year (and every year), you have to be kind to and patient with yourself. Life is hard, and it has been especially hard for everyone over the last couple of years. You have had to make many changes in your life, and it takes time to adjust to those changes. As you continue to grow and improve your mental health, it is important to remember that results take time. Give yourself the same love, care, and patience that you give to others. You deserve it.
5. It’s okay to prioritize yourself
2023 is your year. And in order for it to be your year, you truly have to prioritize yourself. Put your physical and emotional health first, and the changes you see will be drastic in the best way possible. While this affirmation may sound selfish, prioritizing yourself can actually improve your relationships with others. When your cup is full, you are able to give more to others.
If putting yourself first includes getting help, we encourage you to connect with us today. You will be able to speak to a professional who can put you on a customized treatment path that will work best for you. That path could include psychotherapy, medication, or alternative methods such as TMS and esketamine. Getting support for your mental health needs is one of the best ways to prioritize your needs, and the results can be life-changing.
2023 is a fresh start and a new year. It’s a chance for everyone to turn a new leaf. Why not change your mindset for the better, and allow yourself to become the best version of yourself thus far? Take care of yourself this year, and remember that you deserve to.
