So, here is some evidence from empirical studies which suggest that positive self-affirmation practices can be beneficial:
- Self-affirmations have been shown to decrease health-deteriorating stress(Sherman et al., 2009; Critcher & Dunning, 2015);
- Self-affirmations have been used effectively in interventions which led people to increase their physical behavior (Cooke et al., 2014)
- They may help us to perceive otherwise ‘threatening’ messages with less resistance, including interventions (Logel & Cohen, 2012);
- They can make us less likely to dismiss harmful health messages, responding instead with the intention to change for the better (Harris et al., 2007) and eat more fruit and vegetables (Epton & Harris, 2008);
- They have been linked positively to academic achievement, by mitigating GPA decline in students who feel ‘left out’ at college (Layous et al., 2017); and
- Self-affirmation has been demonstrated to lower stress and rumination (Koole et al., 1999; Weisenfeld et al., 2001).