Affirmations for Midlife Happiness
Affirmations are popular these days – they’re just about everywhere you look.
They may sound very “woo” or “out there,” but there is science behind using affirmations and science-backed ways to help your affirmations work better as a tool for greater midlife happiness.
A 2015 study published in Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience revealed that using affirmations does do something in your brain, particularly the systems associated with self-related processing and reward.
Study authors noted that self-affirmations might work because they can broaden someone’s perspective and make negative emotions less powerful; they could also work because they guide people to focus on the sources of positive self-esteem and their outlook on the world, which can also lead to feeling happier.
Participants participated in a multi-week study where they gave their personal value rankings and found a baseline for their activity. They were given an activity tracker to wear as well.
In the second week, they went through a functional MRI and underwent an fMRI-compatible self-affirmation (or control). They saw potentially-threatening messages encouraging participants to be more active.
A month later, they returned and their activity tracker data following the fMRI appointment was collected. The success of the affirmation activity was determined by the data from their activity tracker.
The study revealed that self-affirmation does activate neural pathways associated with rewarding behaviors.
In other words, affirmations aren’t just fluff – they work.
Why use affirmations in midlife?
As the study revealed, affirmations can change the brain (and people’s outlook on life) to help individuals recognize more positive aspects of their daily lives, which can lead to greater happiness.
They can also encourage you when things get tough.
Affirmations can also guide you toward positive change if you use them regularly. They can help you to make changes and adapt when adaptation is necessary. In some cases, self-affirmations can also reduce stress's effects on the body.
How to write your own Midlife affirmations
If you’re looking to lower your stress level, improve your mental health, feel happier, and make changes, why not give affirmations a try?
You really have nothing to lose.
And, writing your own midlife affirmations can be fun – you get an opportunity to personalize the statements you choose to use because, let’s face it: not all affirmations and meditations click with everyone, right?
You're less likely to use it if you can’t feel a connection.
If you’re ready to write your own midlife affirmations, you can do just that in just a few steps:
1. Choose a thought you no longer wish to have
It’s important to know what you’re looking to change. That’s why we start here in this process. For example, we can start by getting rid of the thought that
“It’s going to be difficult to make healthy choices.”
2. Write down the opposite
It may seem hard, and it may seem fake, but start here. You have to have a baseline for what you’re expecting to change.
“It’s easy to make healthy choices.”
Rewrite the thought you want to change.
“I am willing to believe that it is easy to make healthy choices,”
Or “I am open to …” Or “I can see that/envision.”
3. Journal your “why”
Writing about the reasons you want to make healthier choices and where you can find or make opportunities to make changes can help to provide clarity about what you’re doing and why.
Finding clarity can make the next few steps easier and can actually add more power to your affirmations because you know what you’re looking for.
4. Decide on a key phrase that feels good and keep the sentence short
Start that sentence with “I” or “My.” This helps you to connect more with the affirmation you choose.
Do not begin the sentence with “I want” or “I need.” Those can give a feeling of lacking, and that’s not the vibe you want in your affirmations.
5. Make sure your sentence is in the present tense and tie an emotion to your affirmation
“I know my day feels better when I make healthy choices.”
“I feel better when I move my body more.”
6. Stay positive in every way
You want to infuse your affirmation with positive energy because that is what’s going to help make them work.
7. Write or print out your affirmations and put them where you’ll see them, and say them
If you’re struggling to find the right words for your affirmations, here are a few to get started:
I feel...
I believe...
I know...
My Life...
My Health...
Here are some fabulous keywords to use:
Amazed
Empowered
Happy
Optimistic
Appreciative
Confident
Courageous
Excited
Thankful
Powerful
Wise
Worthy
String
Serene
Open
Creative
Harmonious
Loving
Focused
Even if you feel silly – keep at it!
There is no harm in taking a minute or so to encourage and support yourself – it may be harmful not to!
Embrace your life and all the gifts you possess.
Still, finding it hard to get started?