From Fraser Health.
By Cathryn Smith. New Years and resolutions tend to go hand in hand. However, did you know that almost 80% of people fail in the New Year’s resolutions? This year, if you are trying to make a healthy lifestyle change, I invite you to consider an alternative- try an affirmation instead.
Resolutions tend to be future-tense, one time statements of intent which are characterized by unrealistic expectations about the likelihood of success, speed and ease of the desired change. An affirmation is a statement of truth of what you want to exist in your life. Instead of “I will,” you substitute a verb of action- “I practice,” “I choose,” “I approach,” “I focus.” Notice the difference between the key words- intent vs truth.
Affirmations use the present tense, which tells your brain this is happening now and makes you more accountable to yourself. When you say or write the words repeatedly, it impresses its thought pattern in your mind and transforms your previously held beliefs. This helps you choose better options and experiences that will lead you to the change you are trying to make. Whatever you constantly say to yourself will generally become true, so it is important that your words are positive.
Here are a few examples:
Resolution: I will lose weight
Affirmation: I choose food and drink that nourish and energize me
Resolution: I will take better care of myself.
Affirmation: I move and stretch my body and breathe fresh air everyday
Resolution: I will have more downtime
Affirmation: I make rest, relaxation and rejuvenation a priority
Resolution: I will not stress over the small stuff
Affirmation: I practice noticing when I am re-acting
Write your affirmation, then read it and verbalize it every day, as repetition is the key to learning. The more you say it to yourself, the sooner you will start to notice small changes in your life. Try this out- write down and affirmation and put it away somewhere. Then next New Year, take it out and notice the changes that have happened over the year!
