Positive affirmations

Affirmations challenge our negative self-talk and negative self-image. Positive thoughts have also been shown to help us respond better to stressful situations by regulating the stress hormone cortisol. Basically, the more positive our outlook, the less likely our brains are to go into fight-or-flight mode when we encounter a stressful situation. Which means we have to talk ourselves up.

But it’s not as easy as looking in the mirror and chanting a mantra; if you don’t really believe what you’re saying, the whole process can do more harm than good.

Affirmations need to be realistic, otherwise, your brain rushes in to try and disprove them.