The Power of Positive Affirmations: Why the Words We Speak to Ourselves Matter

Self-affirmation has been studied for years, particularly in relation to stress, health behaviors, academic performance and how people respond when information feels threatening to their sense of self.

More recent research has continued to find modest benefits for several measures of well-being.

But here's something I find especially important: an affirmation needs to have meaning to the person saying it.

Researchers have found that extremely positive statements can sometimes make people feel worse when those statements are so far removed from what they currently believe about themselves that their mind immediately argues back.

That makes sense to me.

If someone is struggling deeply with their self-worth, standing in front of a mirror and saying, “I am the most amazing person in the world!” may not feel empowering at all.