There are those who are skeptical about the effectiveness of “positive affirmations.” They dismiss them as wishful thinking that doesn’t do anything to change real-world challenges. However, scientific studies have shown many times that they are very powerful when it comes to molding our thinking. These mantras are proven to help improve performance on challenging tasks, increase confidence, enhance self-image, and decrease stress. For people undergoing benzo detox, these kinds of changes in perspective can have a very positive impact on their treatment.
When life gets stressful, it’s natural for negative thoughts to come to mind. Even when the outcome of a particular situation is just as likely to be positive as negative, we may say to ourselves, “This is not going to end well.” However, researchers have found that with practice, this default thought pattern can be reprogrammed. Simply repeating statements like “I can do this. I’m strong and confident.” can make a significant difference in how a scenario is perceived and ultimately on the outcome.
In fact, research has shown that athletes can produce a higher level of output for longer periods of time by practicing self-encouragement. And other studies have demonstrated that positive affirmations can increase a person’s ability to resist temptation.
Like with any habit, replacing negative thoughts with positive affirmations takes time. Experts encourage people to start slowly. In many cases, it’s easier to focus on family and friends first, mentally wishing them well whenever they come to mind.
When that thought pattern is firmly established, you can start working on encouraging yourself. It can be highly effective to pair a positive affirmation with a real-world cue. For example, a person who is trying to improve their fitness might associate looking out the window at a sunny day with the thought, “I will work out before I shower and head to the office.” A person battling addiction might see a person using drugs as a cue for the thought, “I’m clean, so I’m going to leave here and call a loved one to enjoy some time catching up.” The key is maintaining a commitment to gradual but sustained improvement.
At our benzo detox, we know from experience that success involves taking advantage of all the tools at your disposal. Positive affirmations are proven effective and can be practiced anywhere, anytime, so we encourage people to use them. Contact us today at (800) 205-6107 to learn more about our programs.
Content reviewed by Vicky Magobet, PMHNP-BC, on July 23rd, 2017.
