However, much to my devastation, research has found that positive affirmations and speaking kindly to yourself are actually very effective at alleviating some of the symptoms of depression. The mental health benefits of positive self affirmationsIn October 2025, researchers reviewed data from 129 studies of self-affirmations published in peer-reviewed journals, with a total of 17,748 participants to understand the effects of positive affirmations. The American Psychological Association explains: “Overall, the researchers found that self-affirmations had positive effects on people’s general well-being, social well-being, and self-perception and sense of self-worth. These strategies can foster individual and social well-being as well as strengthen social connections within communities.”How to get started with positive affirmationsThe University of West Scotland London Campus explains: “The key to positive affirmations is repetition. Advertisement“There are multiple ways to use positive affirmations for confidence; you can use them to start or end the day, choose a time that suits you best, or use them multiple times throughout the day.”

Source: Huffington Post February 27, 2026 11:59 UTC