Do you feel stuck in life?
Do you constantly neglect your New Year's resolutions?
Are you looking for ways to defeat harmful or self-defeating behaviors?
That's where mantras come in. Mantras are an important tool when it comes to changing behavior. And while it may seem insignificant, repeating important phrases to yourself can help to hardwire certain positive behaviors you desire. In other words, you are capable of change. With the discovery of plasticity in the brain, there's now scientific backing that thoughts can help to rewire learned behaviors, and can even change the physical structure of the brain.
While there are certain parts of ourselves that can't be changed, such as our genetics and our experiences, neuroplasticity has revealed there's much we can do to train our brains and central nervous system, and therefore our behavior, too. If you feel like you're stuck, and that you can't beat certain bad behaviors, such as overeating or feeling anxious in social settings, just know that there is hope. While mantras may not solve all your problems and aren't a magical cure-all, they can help chip away at neural pathways carved out in your brain to foster new, better habits.
Remember that change is a natural part of being human. Throughout the course of our lives, we may change our beliefs, behaviors, attitudes, and habits. While some changes may be harder than others, with a bit of determination and motivation (and the implementation of tools, such as mantras) you can become a better you. Now, it's time to ditch those bad habits and become a happier, healthier you!