Welcome to a new series, TikTok Trends! We’re looking at popular trends on TikTok that can positively and effectively benefit our mental health. Remember: no social media account, even a licensed professional, replaces actual therapy and should only be used for entertainment purposes.
Scrolling on TikTok the other night, I stumbled upon a sound from none other than Snoop Dogg himself that took me by surprise. Snoop Dogg was singing about affirmations! I instantly clicked on the sound and watched way too many videos of people reacting to this catchy, uplifting song that was originally made for kids. The words “Today is going to be an amazing day/ My feelings matter / I get better every single day” were honestly words I needed to hear myself in that moment too. Have you ever needed to hear some positivity? Maybe it was a bad day at school/work, you got in a fight with a loved one, or your own thoughts are being mean to you. Whatever the case may be, we can all use affirmations as a part of our daily lives and mindfulness practices.
What are Affirmations?
Snoop Dogg’s definition of affirmations are:
Affirmations are a positive statements that help bust a challenge and overcome
When you [are] not feeling good and have negative thoughts.
Honestly, I couldn’t say it better myself. Affirmations are statements that we can say to ourselves to help bring positivity into the moment and help shift our mindset. If we want to feel, think, or do something different, then we must actively play a role in making that happen. If we are feeling stressed, anxious, or sad; unfortunately, we cannot just will ourselves into not feeling those anymore. Affirmations can be a great place to start in those moments. Research shows us that our brains have neuroplasticity, meaning that we can change constantly! We are not set in our ways just because it’s how we have always felt/thought/acted. Starting with daily affirmations can help us to change our thought processes and will make it easier to recall them in the future (Demarin & Morovic, 2014). Practicing positive affirmations can be tricky, especially when it may be difficult to believe the words we are trying to say. Sometimes, it is just the starting of the practice that is the hardest point. With continued practice, the goal is that we can start to believe them more and more.
Where Do I Start?
Here are a few beginning steps from The Berkeley Well-Being Institute on how to come up with your own positive affirmations:
1. Say affirmations out loud.
2. Use the present tense.
3. Try not to highlight the negative.
4. Choose meaningful affirmations.
Here are Snoop Dogg’s affirmations from his song Affirmation Song; I encourage you to check it out and even sing along!
There is no one better to be than myself
Today is going to be an amazing day
My feelings matter
I get better every single day
I choose to feel happy
My family loves me so much!
I care about others
I learn from my mistakes
I am responsible
I get better every single day
I’m surrounded by love
Every problem has an answer
I deserve to feel good
Anything is possible
I believe in myself
I can control my own happiness
Want to learn more about affirmations and the role they can play in your mental health? Click here to schedule an initial appointment with one of our amazing clinicians.
Resources:
Demarin, Vida & Morovic, Sandra & Béné, Raphael. (2014). Neuroplasticity. Periodicum Biologorum. 116. 209-211.
Dogg, Snoop & Doggyland. (2022). Affirmation Song. On Kids Hits, Vol. 1. [Album]. Records DK.
“Positive Affirmations: Definition, Examples, and Exercises.” The Berkeley Well-Being Institute, https://www.berkeleywellbeing.com/positive-affirmations.html.