Affirmations are simply statements designed to foster self-change in the lives of individuals who use them. They serve as both inspiration and daily reminders, helping to focus attention on goals throughout our day. Our brain is constantly adapting and rewiring itself, with thoughts, habits, and behaviors influencing this process. When repeated consistently and frequently enough, they create strong connections known as neural pathways.

Between religious teachings, traditional beliefs, and the manifestation girlies on TikTok, there is one universal truth we can all agree on: there is power in words. Your subconscious is always listening, making it vital to speak positivity over your life. So do affirmations work or is it all bull? Well there’s actually some science to it.

Think about it this way. No matter how common your name is (no shade), let’s say it’s Jane. Even if you’re in a crowd, no matter how much chatter there is around you, if someone calls out Jane you’d still be able to pick your name out right? Because your brain has been programmed to filter out your name, seeing as it’s the most important word to exist. Humans can’t process everything in our environment so we set up filters us focus on what’s important. So with affirmations, when you start affirming something, it seems like the world just starts giving you opportunities for that.

In psychology, there’s a technique called “priming”. The first stimulus affects the person's response to the second – it “primes” their second response. When you repeat positive affirmations, you're essentially "priming" your brain to focus on and believe in those positive statements. Just like how hearing the word "sun" might make you think of "moon" faster, affirmations can shape your thoughts and beliefs, influencing how you perceive yourself and the world around you. So, in a way, affirmations act as a form of self-priming, guiding your mindset and behaviors towards positivity and success. By "priming" your brain for success and positivity, the universe responds accordingly.

Here are some ways to change your brain and cultivate healthier self-talk habits:

1. Dedicate at least two minutes to affirmations twice a day, ideally upon waking and before bedtime.
2. Listen to yourself as you repeat these affirmations, focusing on the words and visualizing their truth.
3. Consistency is key; try not to skip days, and consider incorporating affirmations into your daily prayers.

Here are some affirmations to get you started:

• My life is a representation of my greatness
• I am deserving of the greatest gifts this lifetime could provide
• I attract opportunities that are aligned with my goals
• I am creating a life of love and abundance
• I am always at the right place at the right time.
• I am grateful for all that I have in my life.

Simply by trusting the process, we will attract things like renewed health, love, financial abundance, and recovery of all kinds when we start taking care of our body and mind through positive thinking.