NEURO-AFFIRMATIONS & YOUR WELLBEING

Every Monday on my Instagram Reels, I share meditative affirmations made into videos using words, music and images.

Many of my followers would most likely watch a bit, and pass by because they do not fully grasp how powerful a combination of meditation and affirmation can be.

Of course, there is no sufficient time to educate them. Maybe I will some day. Or maybe they get to read this edition of The Dayo Samuel Report.

Hundreds of studies continue to show that meditation, mindfulness, yoga, mantras, mudras, deep prayer, and conscious relaxation change the brain in ways that improve physical, emotional, and cognitive health.

Furthermore, the neural circuits affected by each of these practices are very similar, and they literally reshape the way we think, feel, and behave.

For example, a group of Pentecostal Christians were brain-scanned while they were speaking in tongues. Activities in their parietal lobes increased as they experienced the Holy Spirit talking to them.

Other forms of contemplative meditation decrease that parietal activity, which allows the person speaking in tongues to feel more unified with God.

Let me break it down. The parietal lobes are primarily responsible for receiving and processing sensory input such as touch, pressure, heat, cold, and pain. The parietal lobes are also involved in the perception of body awareness and the construction of a spatial coordinate system (mental map) to represent the world around us.

But what about affirmations?

It makes sense that they should improve brain functioning, right?

Unfortunately, there’s been no direct research to support this assumption.

Until now!

However, thanks to a 40 year longitudinal study by the Mayo Clinic and a 30 year longitudinal study from Duke University, we do know that optimism is associated with a longer life and improved wellbeing.

And oh, "What is a longitudinal study?" you might ask.

In a longitudinal study, researchers repeatedly examine the same individuals to detect any changes that might occur over a period of time. Longitudinal studies are a type of correlational research in which researchers observe and collect data on a number of variables without trying to influence those variables.

So, Mayo Clinic did a 40-year study. Duke University also did a 30-year study. Both got same results: If you are optimistic, you will most likely live longer and live well.

Their body of research suggests that optimistic people are healthier and happier than those who are pessimistic. But even if you are a negative thinker, you can teach yourself to make happiness a habit.

Dr. Richa Sood of Mayo Clinic suggests:

• Gratitude: "Feeling grateful for things that are going right in life builds our optimism. Having a sense of meaning and purpose, being driven by some altruistic intentions and actions."
• Building your self-worth: "How do we build self-worth? Well, surrounding ourselves with people who believe in us is a big one."
• Improving your health: "That would mean exercising, eating healthily, maintaining our body weight, staying away from toxins."

Using core elements gleaned from meditation studies conducted by Mark Robert Waldman and Andrew Newberg, I believe that anyone can “reverse engineer” negative thoughts to create neurologically enhancing affirmations.

Here’s what they suggest:

1. Consciously select a positive thought, intention, or goal that you want to manifest in your life. Make sure it is in alignment with your deepest values and beliefs.

2. Write down a simple phrase or word that captures your intention. The shorter, the better. Writing activates unique language and motivational circuits in your brain - that's why I write with a pen every single day.

3. Next, spend 60 seconds consciously relaxing your body. Yawn, stretch, and breathe slowly through your nose.

4. Repeat your affirmation 5-10 times and repeat the process once every hour, especially when you are working (set a mindfulness clock app on your cell phone).

In eight weeks, if we scanned your brain, we would probably see significant functional changes.

Anxiety, irritability, and depression can recede, and you will experience less stress and greater confidence.

Some particular executive MBA students at Loyola Marymount University have been doing this for the past 10 years and they continue to report substantial improvement in their productivity and stress levels.

Research also shows that creating your own affirmation or meditation is more effective than using one that someone else suggests.

And, if you turn your contemplative thought into a melodic chant, with pleasant music in the background, additional benefits may be gained.

Even adding ritualized movements – with your fingers, hands, arms or head – may further enhance the power of your meditation.

During the day, if any doubts creep in, write them down on a sheet of paper, and as you gaze at your words, repeat your affirmation.

This is one of the many neuroscientific secrets we’ve discovered that will improve your happiness, wellbeing and success.

To your transformation and wellbeing,

Dayo Samuel

PS: , let me take this time to say, "Welcome to my first publication of The Dayo Samuel Report." Hope it's as enriching as I promised. Please share your feedback with me, I'd be glad to know what to improve as I go along.

PPS: If you know someone who would benefit from 10-minutes read of this, please forward to them. You may also invite them via: https://dayosamuel.com/dayo-samuel-report/ The goal? Breaks down important research, quickly and completely.

References:

• Adolescent Brain Maturation. (2002, January 1). ScienceDirect. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B0122272102003885
• M.D., N. A., & Waldman, M. R. (2010). How God Changes Your Brain: Breakthrough Findings from a Leading Neuroscientist (unknown ed.) [E-book]. Ballantine Books. https://doi.org/10.1080/10508619.2010.481231
• Religious Experience: Psychology and Neurology. (2009, January 1). ScienceDirect. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780123738738000670
• Thomas, L. (2020, May 8). What is a longitudinal study? Scribbr. https://www.scribbr.com/methodology/longitudinal-study/#:%7E:text=In%20a%20longitudinal%20study%2C%20researchers,trying%20to%20influence%20those%20variables.
• Williams, V. (2020, January 16). Mayo Clinic Minute: Boost optimism. https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinic-minute-boost-optimism/