The Power of Affirmations: Cultivate Mental Wellness with Somatic-Recovery

Aspiration for change and ambition for improvement and success as a metaphor for growth and transformation as a butterfly casting a shadow of a flying bird with 3D illustration elements.

Affirmations and prayers are both powerful tools in the realm of self-improvement as they harness the power of Spirit. The major difference between a prayer and an affirmation is that a prayer summons the belief in the power of God while an affirmation summons the belief in the power of the word and one’s mindset. The power of Spirit being the common thread but can be seen as sewn with different designs. In prayer, Spirit is the relationship between you and God or higher power as prayer takes the form of requesting, seeking guidance, expressing gratitude and surrendering to faith. In affirmation, Spirit may take many different designs depending on your core belief: belief in an higher power which resides within you as well or belief in the power of mind which is in essence a Consciousness consisting of energy, information and intelligence. This Consciousness could be described as Spirit depending on the meaning you instill in the words you chose to relate to. Both prayer and affirmations can reference God above, God within or the belielf that all is one. Here are some examples of a affirmations with sublte ways of differring in their reference to Spirit.

Florence Scovel Shinn: “As I am one with the Undivided One, I am one with my undivided good!”

Beautiful Chorus: “Abundance is energy; Abundance it flows to me; Abundance is energy flows to me easily.”

Deepak Chopra: “I am Open; I am Joyful; I am Loving, I am Confident, I am Resilient, I am Free, I am Peaceful.”

Using Affirmations

Affirmations involve the repetition of positive statements to overcome self-sabotaging negative thought patterns and to encourage self-talk that focuses on positive results. Users of affirmations often integrate them into daily routines, reinforcing positive beliefs about themselves and their abilities. This practice aims to cultivate a positive mindset and reshape thought patterns over time.

Healing through Affirmations

Our words create our thought patterns. The words we repeatedly tell ourselves eventually become the reality we experience. Using an affirmation is best done after we have done the work on exploring our need for having the negative thought pattern in the first palce.

How is this pattern serving me?
Why have I held onto this way of thinking for so long?
Am I ready to replace it with something that might serve me better?
Is my mind open or closed to this shift and the changes it will cause?

To prepare your mind to be open to the change you are desiring, first use the power within a somatic experience to set the stage. In other words, in a meditative space, use all your sense perceptions to experience as real as possible that which you desire to be your new reality. Infuse this experience with a somatic experience- a body mind experience- of joy. While in this state; use your affirmation and hear your words speak to you that which you are now experiencing. Somatic-Recovery is there to support you in this phase of transformation.

The Science of Affirmations:

Neuroplasticity and Rewiring the Brain:

Affirmations leverage the principles of neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections. Regular repetition of positive affirmations can strengthen positive neural pathways, diminishing the influence of negative thought patterns.

Stress Reduction and Hormonal Balance:

Positive affirmations have been linked to stress reduction. By promoting a positive mindset, affirmations may help regulate stress hormones, contributing to a sense of calm and well-being.

Enhancing Self-Efficacy:

Affirmations boost self-efficacy—the belief in one’s ability to achieve goals. This psychological phenomenon plays a crucial role in motivation, resilience, and overall mental health.

Activating the Reticular Activating System (RAS):

The RAS, a part of the brain responsible for attention and arousal, can be influenced by affirmations. By consistently focusing on positive statements, individuals may “train” their brains to prioritize positive stimuli, enhancing their overall outlook.

Enhanced Emotional Resilience:

Emotional Regulation: Affirmations contribute to enhanced emotional resilience by promoting emotional regulation. Through regular practice, individuals develop the capacity to navigate and manage emotional responses more effectively, fostering a sense of emotional balance and stability.
Shift in Perspective: Affirmations facilitate a shift in perspective, encouraging individuals to focus on strengths and positive aspects of their lives. This shift can lead to a more optimistic outlook, reducing the impact of negative experiences and promoting a proactive approach to challenges.

Somatic-Recovery’s Commitment to Mental Wellness:

Both affirmations and prayer share the common thread of fostering a positive and hopeful mindset, providing individuals with tools to navigate life’s challengeges. Somatic-Recovery, committed to holistic mental wellness, acknowledges the power of positive affirmations in healing. By combining evidence-based practices with a client-centered approach, we strive to empower individuals on their journey toward lasting mental health and well-being. Let us embark with you. For an appointment email: [email protected] or Call/Text 530-575-8588. Thank you.