The Science Behind Daily Affirmations and Answers to...

Are you ready to start daily affirmations but have a ton of questions? I’ll dive into the science behind affirmations and answer common questions like “How long does it take for affirmations to work?“

The truth is, how long they take can vary, and it’s dependent on a few factors.

Some say as little as 20 days and some say 90 days and beyond.

Let’s look at some common questions and some of the ways you can speed up the effectiveness of affirmations and answer some common questions about starting an affirmation practice.

I’ll break down how to increase your chances of affirmations working faster as well as how to incorporate them into your daily routine.

Affirmations are similar to positive mantras. They’re simple statements that we repeat to transform our negative thoughts into positive thoughts.

These positive statements are in the present tense and take a negative belief or negative self-talk statement and turn them into opposing statements.

For example, a statement like “There’s no way I can do that” may be in your mind about something you would like to do. You can actually create a new belief when you take that statement and turn it into a positive one, and repeat it multiple times.

You could turn that example into “I am capable of doing [the thing].” If it sounds too simple, it’s because it is.

Affirmations are a powerful tool that can help us make positive changes in our lives by reframing our mindset.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Affirmations

I give a lot of examples of positive affirmations you can start adding to your life.

I have a great set of New Year Affirmations, as well as affirmations to use on certain days of the week, like Friday Affirmations, Saturday Affirmations and Sunday Affirmations (to name a few).

But I’m often asked a few of the same questions over and over.

I’ll answer them here so you can have the information to jump in and start doing affirmations yourself.

Do Affirmations Work?

Affirmations do really work, but you have to believe in their power and do them regularly.

You don’t necessarily have to believe the positive phrases you’re reciting at the time, but you must have an open mind and be willing to accept new positive beliefs.

This is because affirmations work on your subconscious mind, which dictates a large percentage of your thoughts and actions.

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The Science Behind Affirmations

The concept of neuroplasticity refers to the brain’s ability to change and adapt.

When you use affirmations regularly, you are literally rewiring your brain to think in more positive ways.

Studies have shown that practicing affirmations can lead to changes in brain activity and structure, resulting in more positive thought patterns and behaviors.

In a 2015 study, during MRI scans, after participants did affirmations, increased activity in the regions of the brain responsible for self-processing and future-oriented thinking, was shown.

The correlation is linked to behavioral changes, which suggests affirmations are effective when trying to change a future outcome.

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Real Example, Personal Experience, and Results with Affirmations

Louise Hay, an author and teacher in the self-help space, shed more light on the power of affirmations for healing and creating a more positive outlook.

After being diagnosed with incurable cervical cancer in the 1970s, she leaned in to focus on healing with affirmations.

She went on to live until the age of 90 and died in 2017. She wrote many books on the power of affirmations and truly believed her healing was a result of changing her mindset through affirmations.

So there’s a little bit of science to confirm the effectiveness of positive affirmations.

They haven’t been studied enough, but since this is a simple practice to incorporate into your life, without negative side effects, it’s worth trying.

Many people have seen significant changes in their lives by incorporating affirmations into their daily routines.

Personally, I have experienced a shift in my self-confidence and self-worth by regularly using affirmations.

I used to struggle with negative self-talk, but through consistent practice, I have learned to reframe my thoughts and embrace more positive beliefs about myself.

Affirmations have also helped me stay motivated and focused on my goals.

How Long Does It Take For Affirmations to Work?

Now the most important question you are wondering about – how long does it take for affirmations to work?

Honestly, this would depend on these three factors:

Belief and Consistency

One of the most important factors in making affirmations work is belief.

If you don’t truly believe in the affirmations you are repeating, it will be difficult for them to have a positive effect on your mindset.

The power of affirmations lies in their ability to shift our thoughts and beliefs, so having faith in them is crucial.

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Consistency is also key when it comes to using affirmations.

Just like with any habit or goal, repetition is necessary for seeing results.

This means regularly repeating your affirmations, preferably multiple times a day.

It may take some time for your mind to fully embrace the affirmations and make them a part of your thought patterns.

Mindset and Persistence

Another factor that impacts how long it takes for affirmations to work is our mindset.

If we approach affirmations with skepticism or doubt, we may not see results as quickly as someone open-minded and positive about them.

It’s important to have a growth mindset and be willing to give affirmations a chance before dismissing them.

Persistence is also key when it comes to seeing results with affirmations.

It may take time for the changes in thinking and behavior to manifest, but staying committed and continuing to repeat your affirmations can make all the difference.

Environmental Factors and Personal Circumstances

In addition to belief, consistency, mindset, and persistence, environmental factors and personal circumstances can also play a significant role in determining how long it takes for affirmations to work.

The environment you’re in, including the people you surround yourself with and the media you consume, can influence the effectiveness of affirmations.

Being in a supportive, positive environment can enhance the power of affirmations, helping you to internalize them more deeply.

Personal circumstances, such as the specific challenges or goals you are addressing with your affirmations, can also affect the timeline.

More deeply ingrained beliefs or behaviors may take longer to shift, requiring more time and effort to see significant changes.

Conversely, if you’re using affirmations to reinforce already positive aspects of your life, you might notice benefits more quickly.

Examples of Positive Daily Affirmations

Here are some examples of positive daily affirmations you can start incorporating into your routine:

I am worthy and deserving of all good things in life.
Today, I choose to be happy and at peace with myself.
I believe in my abilities and trust the journey ahead of me.
My thoughts are powerful, and I choose to focus on positivity and abundance.
I am capable of handling any challenges that come my way.
I am grateful for all the blessings in my life and trust that more are coming.
I am confident, strong, and resilient.
Today, I choose to let go of any negative thoughts and embrace positivity.
I radiate love, joy, and positivity wherever I go.

How Do You Know if Affirmations are Working?

You’ll know your affirmations are working when you start to correct your negative thoughts.

For example, you may catch yourself saying something (out loud or in your mind) like “I’ll never get that raise because [co-worker] is better than me” and notice your mind making an immediate correction like “I am deserving of that raise and the universe is full of abundance.”

You may also start to see things differently. Even a subtle appreciation to the kind barista who handed you your morning coffee, for example. The things you notice may not even be directly related to the specific affirmations you are working on.

When you start to notice small positive mindset shifts, you’ll know your affirmations are working.

What do Affirmations Help With?

There is a whole world of affirmations to help you.

From specific days of the week affirmations, like Friday Affirmations, or Monday Affirmations to New Year Affirmations, you can use them to make it through a difficult week or to achieve specific goals.

Positive thinking goes beyond our minds and into our physical lives. You can do affirmations to improve everything from your sleep quality to your mindset surrounding your new job, self-love, and helping to heal emotional pain.

You can use positive affirmations to help with anything you have a negative mindset around.

How Many Days Should You Do Affirmations?

You should do affirmations every day, if possible.

And the best time is first thing in the morning.

If you say affirmations every day, you’ll start to notice positive changes in your thought patterns faster than if you recited them on a more sporadic basis. And making it a daily practice could be the difference in whether or not they will be effective.

If you’re using affirmations for a specific goal, like landing a new job, you can stop the specific affirmations once you have landed the job.

However, I recommend continuing to do affirmations. They can really help your personal development and are a great first step to making a positive change.

Shifting your focus on affirmations into something you are currently working on, and making it a part of your daily practice can help you have a more positive mindset overall. Which can have a profound impact on your personal growth.

How Long Should I Repeat Affirmations?

There isn’t a set time frame for repeating affirmations, but you should plan to select 1-5 at a time, and repeat each of them 5-10 times.

There isn’t necessarily a finish line unless you’re using them to help you achieve a goal.

The idea is that affirmations can help give you a more positive mindset so you have more self-confidence. They can slow down or eliminate negative thinking.

So continuing to do affirmations daily, even if it’s just a couple of them, can be helpful to your overall well-being and achieving new goals.

Tips for Maximizing Affirmation Effectiveness

To get the most out of affirmations, you can incorporate positive emotions and visualizations while reciting them.

This strengthens the impact on your subconscious mind by associating positive feelings with the statements.

Additionally, using present tense and specific language can make the affirmations more believable and powerful.

It’s also beneficial to combine affirmations with other self-improvement practices, such as mindfulness or journaling, for a holistic approach to personal growth.

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Final Thoughts on How Long It Takes for Affirmations to Work

When practicing affirmations you need to believe in their power.

If you’re thinking you are “capable and strong” but also thinking affirmations are “stupid and will never work,” the negative thought will take over and dominate your subconscious.

You have to be willing to invest in affirmations and incorporate them into your daily life.

While you can do affirmations for a certain amount of time to achieve something and move on, they work best when you do them as a regular practice for a long time.

Since affirmations train your unconscious mind to think more positively, you’ll notice things start to change in your life repeatedly when you do them.

I have a ton of examples of positive affirmations that can get you started. They are especially helpful if you aren’t sure where to start. But once you make it a regular practice, I encourage you to make your own affirmations for repeating.