Is there any psychological reason behind "self-affirmation"?

Question

My psychotherapist has advised me to repeat "I love myself" 500 times a day to boost my self-esteem. I want to know is it really scientific ,or just part of those pop psychology?
do other psychotherapists advise this method too?
Have you benefited using affirmation?

Answer 1

It is a bit of a behavioral trick but one of the gentler ones.

The idea behind it is that if you say it often enough, eventually you will think it, and then start to feel it too. You are essentially teaching yourself a learned reflex or response that psychotherapists believe in their educated opinion other people learn themselves as a healthy coping skill.

The catch is...the linkage between thinking a thing and feeling it isn't as solid as folks would like it to be. Modern neuro-psychology *thinks* thoughts and feelings are connected in a certain way, but the research is still getting the proof for that.

The catch *Behind the Catch* is that....it's an affirmation. As far as interventions go, it is one of the most harmless things out there one can do. At worst is it a bit silly and a waste of time. That is it. And as for the best....a lot of traditions, some religious, some more philosophical, others more sports or performance oriented, they do attest to the uses of focused thought, visualizations, meditations and mantras to at least control the content of one's *thoughts*.

In other words. It isn't quite "scientific" in the sense of being based on a hypothesis that has become proven theory courtesy of physical evidence, statistical inference, and/or peer review, no....

But there is a lot of historical information that backs things up here in terms of it doing *something good*, and hardly anything in the way of historical or anecdotal information saying "this is a bad thing to do".

So it's not pop psychology from a self-help book either. Not entirely.

I've used affirmations myself, and had mostly positive results. Things have been mixed when I've tried to do too much with them, but if I keep things simple and within the realm of "coping skill" and not "praying for miracles", it seems to work out okay. Affirmations *alone* won't cure what ails you, but in my experience they can help out with whatever else you *are* doing.

I hope this helps...thanks for your time. ^_^ Take care.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

I like Kama's answer! I, too, have told myself such things. More than that, I've been through quite a lot and had very low self esteem & was angry with myself and choices I'd made.

Not only do I thank myself and talk well to myself, but I'm much more forgiving with myself and gentle and kind. I make myself special dinners and eat them by candle light and play wonderful music. I do things to make me feel special, because I KNOW I am special... just LIKE YOU!

You just gotta learn to feel it, then KNOW it. Things change when you treat yourself better and love yourself. You grow to love others too.

So, in answer to your question, yes, these things definately work!

Answer 4

I don't see the value in the phrase "I love myself"; but it's good to find a way to think positively and remember your good attributes. I think I would take a little time at the end of every day to write down a few things that you did well that day, or a few things that are good about you. During the day, you can choose to chase away bad thoughts about yourself and replace them with good ones. But "I love myself" means nothing without a reason. How about "I love myself because I'm good to my friends"; or "I love myself because I'm a good mother".

Answer 5

I find this to be very helpful. I feel that if we don't love ourselves, it is hard to love others. I don't know about the psychological reason, but I have been able to change a lot of my perceptions. This really has enabled me to love others more and to allow them to love me.

Answer 6

I don't tell myself that everyday but I do mention it to myself from time to time. I compliment myself if I think I look good on a specific day. I remind myself of my talents, gifts and natural blessings.