The power of affirmations on mental health

You got this.

I believe in you. 

You’re beautiful. 

We often say these things to our family and friends when they are feeling discouraged, but when it comes to ourselves, we tend to give these compliments out less frequently. 

Self-talk is your internal monologue, and practicing positive self-talk can improve your life in multiple ways. Positive self-talk is shown to reduce stress, increase physical well-being, and lead to greater overall satisfaction, according to Timothy J. Legg, a mental health expert. 

The first step to positive self-talk is to identify and reduce negative self-talk. Think to yourself: Would I say these things to my best friend? Additionally, you must determine if what you are saying to yourself is based in reality. One must take into account their own feelings and emotions when attempting to determine if self-talk is positive or negative. 

“What evidence do we have to believe that (negative ideas) about ourselves?” Mrs. Tracy Wagner, SJHS counselor, emphasized. 

According to mental wellness coach Elizabeth Scott, when we engage in negative self-talk it can lead to a lack of confidence, increased anxiety, and overall bad feelings about yourself. In extreme cases, it can lead to depression or self-harm. 

But what can we do as teenagers to improve this? Instead of thinking ‘I can never…’ or ‘it will never…,” we have to remind ourselves we are only teenagers. Never is a restricting and limiting word. When we repeatedly think ‘I’m too…’ or ‘I’m not…’ again we are putting limits and expectations on ourselves that aren't realistic.  We have many years of growing and developing ahead of us.

Try this: Grab some sticky notes and a pen. Write some affirmations for yourself—phrases or sentences of positive self-talk. If you don't know where to start, here are some examples: I am kind to others and myself; I am strong; I am of value and have purpose in this world; I love myself for who I am. Stick them to your mirror, so you can begin your day on a positive note. Emma Stout, 11, begins her day by looking in the mirror and saying, “I am the person who I wanted to be.”