The Power Of Positive Affirmations

Let’s take a moment to talk about mental health.

The World Health Organisation defines mental health as “a state of well-being in which every individual realises his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to her or his community.” What this means is that mental health goes hand in hand with our wellbeing and the wellbeing of our loved ones, our community, and our environment.

Supporting and improving mental health is as important as keeping physically fit. Methods of improving our physical wellbeing are quite straightforward – stretching, going for regular walks, or joining a gym. We know when our physical health improves by the way we feel and look – now you can reach your toes, you can walk for longer without feeling tired, or you can lift more weights. Mental wellbeing is exactly the same. In the same way, we need conscious practice and exercise, and we know we’ve improved because we feel better about ourselves.

In this article, we will explore the connection between mental and environmental health, and look at the power of positive affirmations to improve our lives and the environment.

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How is mental health and the planet’s health linked?

Our mental wellbeing shapes the way that we see the world. When we are in a positive headspace, we feel appreciative, nurturing, and generous. This shows in the way that we treat the environment.

Here are some examples:

• Driving with road rage uses more fuel, generally due to speeding, and hard braking.
• Mentally healthy people are more productive and focused. This means you can make smarter choices.
• Mental wellbeing helps us see the bigger picture. This means we are more likely to appreciate the lasting impacts of the decisions we make.
• Happier and more appreciative people give more to charity and the community.

In fact, the link between mental health and environmental health goes both ways. Caring for the environment benefits our mental health.

Here are some examples:

• People who are closer to nature have higher life satisfaction. This is also the reason that city dwellers are more prone to mental health problems.
• Some evidence suggests that exposure to green space, blue space, and nature sounds have positive psychological and cognitive effects.
• Nature walks have greater health benefits than walking elsewhere.
• Air pollution is linked to depression, anxiety, and dementia. Reducing air pollution is beneficial for our physical and mental wellbeing.

Mental Health and Nature

Using positive affirmations to boost mental health

The benefits of good mental health are endless! What are some ways to improve our mental health?

Positive affirmations are a really simple way of boosting our mood and wellbeing. These are phrases and mantras that you can repeat to challenge unhelpful thoughts and perceptions. They are used by many people for all sorts of reasons. For instance, they can help break bad habits, boost productivity, or inspire success.

Positive affirmations rely on the law of attraction. The law of attraction says that positive attitudes nurture positive results. In the same way that negative self-talk can make you give up before you even start, positive affirmations can push you to stay strong in the face of discouragement. Positive affirmations are based on widely accepted scientific theory and real evidence.

Here are some simple ways that the law of attraction works in real life:

• When you smile at people, they smile back.
• When you study harder, you get better results.
• When you respect other’s opinions, they are more likely to respect yours.

The same logic applies in the long term. Repeating positive affirmations can make you healthier and happier. This works in the same way that regular exercise makes you fitter and stronger!

Remember, using positive affirmations is a slow and steady exercise. Don’t be discouraged if you don’t see changes overnight! This is a science, not magic. Improving your health always takes conscious patience, regularity, and time.

Here are some common positive affirmations you can use (you can always make your own!):

• I choose to be happy.
• I am strong and take care of my health.
• I see failures as opportunities to improve.
• I am excited for the challenges that today brings.
• I am grateful for the air I breathe.

Positive affirmations and the environment

As eco-conscious people, it is easy to get caught up in all the negative news about the environment. For example, it is overwhelming to see the news constantly associate the environment with disaster, pollution, and crises. News like this can make us feel guilty, useless, or hopeless. This is often called eco-anxiety, and it is a completely normal feeling.

This is where positive affirmations can help. Instead of getting bogged down in negatives, take a moment to reflect on why being eco-conscious is important to you. The environment is not there to cause you anxiety. It is there for you to appreciate and to inspire  calm.

Remember, you can do more for yourself, others, and the environment when you are healthy. When you feel anxious or guilty, use the power of positive affirmations. You will be surprised how quickly your mood can turn around.

Here are some positive affirmations for eco-anxiety:

• My anxiety does not control me.
• What I am doing is enough and makes a difference.
• I am grateful for my environment.
• Taking care of my health helps me take care of the environment.

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