Do affirmations really work?
By the Medifestation team. Published . Updated .
Short answer
Affirmations can support motivation and mindset when they feel believable and are paired with action, but they are not a guaranteed way to change results. Research suggests that statements far from what you currently believe can backfire for some people.
When affirmations tend to help
- The statement is specific and believable to you.
- You repeat it consistently rather than occasionally.
- It points to an identity or behavior you are practicing, not only a result.
- You connect it to a small action you can take today.
When affirmations can backfire
A study published in Psychological Science found that repeating positive self-statements helped some people but left people with low self-esteem feeling worse. If a sentence feels obviously untrue, your mind may argue with it instead of absorbing it. That is a sign to reword it, not to give up.
How to word affirmations so they feel true
- Start with "I am learning to..." or "I am becoming..."
- Use your own language and your own goals.
- Keep it to one idea per statement.
Sources
Medifestation is for wellness and personal development. It is not medical, psychological, or therapeutic advice and does not guarantee outcomes.
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