🌅 Day 13 – Start the Day with Affirmations

This morning, I decided to kick off my day with affirmations. Before even reaching for my coffee, I sat up in bed, closed my eyes, and focused on my feelings. Not being a morning person, especially pre-caffeine, I had to get into the zone. I chose three affirmations that resonated with my current life:

1. “Today will be a great day.”I selected this to set a hopeful tone for the day, aiming to manifest positivity.

2. “My mental health is my priority right now.”With Mother's Day just passed and my birthday approaching—both times I deeply miss my son, Dakota—I needed this reminder to focus on self-care.

3. “I am proud of how far I have come.”Acknowledging my progress in healing felt essential, recognizing the work I've put into moving forward.

   
   

Choosing affirmations I genuinely believed in was crucial. If you don't believe what you're telling yourself, the positive statements can feel hollow or even counterproductive.

After my affirmations, I made my way to the kitchen for coffee. While waiting, I noticed the lush greenery in my backyard, the clean dishes, and tidy counters—small things that brought a sense of gratitude. Even when my husband discussed revamping our dining table, I engaged in the conversation without my usual pre-coffee irritability. It truly felt like the day was off to a positive start.

🧠 The Science Behind Morning Affirmations

Research supports the benefits of positive affirmations. Studies have shown that affirmations can activate the brain's reward centers, leading to increased feelings of self-worth and motivation. Specifically, self-affirmation activates the ventromedial prefrontal cortex, an area associated with self-related processing and valuation .

Moreover, neuroscience suggests that affirmations significantly impact brain function by activating neural pathways linked to self-processing, reward, and emotion regulation. This activation helps foster positive changes in mental health, such as enhanced self-esteem and reduced stress levels .

Even brief daily practices can yield significant benefits. A study from the University of California, Berkeley, found that spending just 20 seconds each day on self-affirmations significantly enhances mental well-being. Participants reported increased self-compassion, emotional well-being, and reduced stress levels .