Using Affirmations To Overcome Obstacles In Your Life.
Affirmations can be used as a powerful tool to overcome obstacles in your life. What exactly are these affirmations anyway? Affirmations are positive statements in the present tense, using the first person. They describe an outcome that you would like to have once your obstacle is overcome: For example, “I have the power to overcome any obstacle that gets in my way” demonstrates how you want to be in the future, but by placing it in the present tense you are telling your subconscious to start acting as though it already has happened. Studies show that these affirmations actually cause us to behave in ways that bring us closer to our goal! They work by causing changes in your brain chemistry! If you think happy thoughts, you release happiness-making chemicals! If you think unhappy thoughts, you release chemicals which contribute further to your unhappiness.
Affirmations interrupt the negative neuropatterning your brain has learned through your life experiences and beliefs. For instance, if as a small child you did not get the loving, positive, kind, supportive kind of nurturing a child needs to feel safe, loved and happy, you may associate the pain and hurt you experienced with the concept of Love. You will think that feeling pain IS love. Of course, this is not the truth but it is the reality you experienced and therefore your bodymind believes it. Affirmations can help the brain to forge new neural pathways that follow a positive path of thinking. The more you use affirmations, the more you reinforce these new neural pathways, and the less you engage in the old thinking patterns, the more these old patterns are weakened. Eventually, you replace the old patterning with a new, positive and more healthful network of thoughts.
One study found that negative self-talk is associated with losing and that believing in positive self-talk, or affirmations, can positively influence the outcome. Science shows us that thoughts literally “sculpt” our brain and that it is our thoughts which generate our emotions! This is amazing. We literally have the power to change our lives for the better through this technique. Yoga Nidra is a form of meditation which incorporates affirmations into its system to bring about deep and lasting change at a subconscious level. Changing the brain in the way described is known as neuroplasticity, and there is plenty of scientific research out there to show that this approach really works.
Here are a couple more examples of affirmations:
- I am highly intuitive and guided by a higher power to overcome obstacles.
- I see obstacles as lessons to learn and grow from. I am ready to find creative solutions to any obstacles.
- I am a Master at overcoming obstacles in my life.
- I have the power to overcome every problem that gets in my way.
Once you have written a few affirmations, you can post them up around the house on sticky notes, put them in your car, record them on your IPhone and listen to them when out jogging or hiking. Say them to yourself, in your head, or out loud, many times a day. Try this little “experiment”: Practise saying them a hundred times a day for a month, and see if there is a difference in how you are approaching obstacles.
You may find Yoga Nidra worth exploring. Yoga Nidra is a powerful practice, and affirmations are integral to it. To join our free Yoga Nidra Introductory course simply enter your best email below to get instant access.
References
http://journals.humankinetics.com/doi/abs/10.1123/jsep.16.4.400