Life has been pretty crazy this past year—so crazy, in fact, that many of us have forgotten to take a little time for ourselves and our own peace of mind and wellbeing. One thing I’ve found incredibly helpful in helping to stay centered over the years is to practice daily affirmations for self-esteem.
Taking just a few moments each day to remind yourself that you are worth the time and effort it takes to prioritize both your physical and mental health can make all the difference.
If you’ve let yourself take a back seat to the craziness we’ve all been experiencing over the last year, let today be the day you make a change and discover the power of doing daily affirmations.
Try a few of my suggestions below for effective daily affirmations for self-esteem and see how it improves your outlook and your commitment to your health in the days to come.
Daily affirmations for self-esteem are simple, positive statements you make out loud about yourself that encourage positive self-thoughts. They’re designed to improve the way you see and feel about yourself.
Personally, I like to start my days with a few affirmations to set the tone for the rest of the day. I find that I have a more positive outlook and tend to have better days overall when I do them in the morning.
I’ve also found that daily affirmations are great motivational tools for people looking to improve their health.
In fact, according to a 2015 study, practicing self-affirmations predicted positive, measurable health-related behavioral changes in individuals. [1]
The researchers surmised that the positive effects were due to the fact that the participants were able to see their self-relevance and value.
Here are three of my go-to daily affirmations for self-esteem. Try saying each of them to yourself first thing in the morning to set yourself up for a successful day.
It’s no secret that changing your lifestyle habits in an effort to achieve better health can be tough. After all, it’s hard to break a habit and replace it with a new one.
Research has shown that it can take up to 10 weeks to establish a new habit, so you must remain patient with yourself. [2] During the first 10 weeks of any lifestyle change, try the following affirmation.
Each day, tell yourself this: I am worth the effort to prioritize my health. Then, choose to believe it.
If needed, repeat this throughout the day, such as anytime you’re met with a temptation or a choice to make a healthy versus unhealthy decision.
And if you find that you’re struggling throughout the day, try reframing your situation.
Instead of focusing on what you can’t have, focus on what you can have by avoiding processed foods or by getting regular exercise: a nice, long, healthy life with those you love—and a body that works for you, not against you!
Many of us are guilty of falling into the comparison trap.
“She’s so much prettier than I am.”
“He’s so much more successful than I’ll ever be.”
“I wish I had their _____.”
All this does is lead us into a pit of self-doubt and loathing. I like to begin each morning by reminding myself that I am grateful for what makes me unique.
Remember, there is no other person in the world just like you. You have unique gifts and talents to contribute. Maybe you’re a great listener or motivator. Maybe you have a calming presence or have a highly creative brain.
Whatever your gifts, focus on them as you state your daily affirmations for self-esteem to help get you in the right mindset for a productive day. You’ll meet each event as an opportunity instead of an obstacle, which only sets you up for success.
What’s the point of doing something you don’t believe in? If you try to eat a healthier, cleaner diet but don’t believe you’re actually going to stick with it, odds are that you’ll only make it a day or two before reverting to old habits.
If you start a new exercise regimen with skepticism because the others you’ve tried in the past didn’t work, how long do you think you’ll commit?
Your mindset is 99 percent of the battle, so begin each day by telling yourself this: I believe in myself and my efforts. Say it until it’s true and, soon enough, it will be your reality.
While I like to begin my mornings with these daily affirmations for self-esteem, I also encourage my patients and even myself to practice them throughout the day as needed, too.
Remember, you’re your biggest cheerleader and you can do anything you put your mind to. Your health lies in your hands alone, so take control of it, believe in yourself, and know that you have the power to live your best, healthiest life.