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Right now, the NBA is heating up, March Manus is here, and MLB is almost back.
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Every day there's a new headline, a new highlight, a new moment you've got to see for yourself.
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That's why I stay locked in with the Bleacher Report app.
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Download the Bleacher Report app today so you never miss a moment.
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Hi, everyone. This is Hope. Welcome back to the podcast.
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Whatever you're doing right now, wherever you're sitting or walking or resting,
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thank you for taking this moment for yourself.
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Maybe you pressed play because you're curious.
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Maybe because you've tried affirmations before and aren't sure if they're actually helping.
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Or maybe you just want one small thing today that feels grounding and gentle.
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Wherever you are, I'm glad you're here.
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Let's take a breath together, just a simple moment to settle into your own body.
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Inhale, exhale, okay, let's begin.
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Today we're talking about affirmations, specifically whether they're actually effective.
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And if you've ever wondered that you're absolutely not alone.
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A lot of people try affirmations once or twice and think,
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nothing happened, why don't I feel different yet?
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And that's such a human response.
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We want things to work quickly,
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especially when we're hurting or growing or navigating change.
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Here's the general truth.
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Affirmations aren't magic words.
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They're practices. They're tools.
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And like any tool, they shape us over time,
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through repetition, sincerity, and patience.
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There's research that gives us a glimpse into why they help.
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Several psychological studies show that when people engage in self-affirmation,
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areas of the brain associated with self-worth and problem-solving become more active.
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One study from a team at Carnegie Mellon explored how self-affirmations help people handle
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stress more effectively.
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Participants who affirm their values before stressful tasks
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showed better performance and lower stress responses.
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Another review found that affirmations can interrupt negative thought loops
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and help people align more closely with their long-term goals.
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But beyond the studies, there's something deeply human-happening.
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We become what we practice.
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If we practice fear, we become more fearful.
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If we practice compassion, we become more compassionate.
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Affirmations are simply the act of practicing a kinder belief about yourself
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until it becomes familiar.
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One writer described it like this.
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Your mind learns the stories you repeat.
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Make sure the stories you rehearse are worthy of you.
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So let's practice a few together.
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Slowly, gently, without pressure.
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Let these be invitations rather than commands.
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I am learning to trust the voice inside me that believes in my growth.
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Today I choose thoughts that support my peace, not my fear.
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I am becoming someone who speaks to myself with compassion.
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Take another breath here.
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Affirmations become effective when you pair them with intention.
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Not pretending everything is wonderful when it isn't.
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A willingness to steer the mind towards something
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truer, healthier, more supportive.
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Think of it like tending a garden.
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You don't plant a seed and expect a blossom by dinner.
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You water it, return to it, give it sunlight, give it time.
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Affirmations work the same way.
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They shift the inner environment,
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so healing and confidence have room to grow.
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And maybe that's where you are right now.
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Rewriting the old script with something more generous.
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Choosing a thought today that your future self will thank you for.
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Thank you for being here with me.
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Thank you for exploring your mind with curiosity and kindness.
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And if this moment offered you even one breath of relief or clarity,
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consider sharing it with someone who might need the same reminder.
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We're all learning how to speak to ourselves more gently.
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And before we go, a quick word from a partner
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in this journey of positivity.
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If you're interested in building an affirmation practice
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that actually sticks, I'd love to introduce you
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to the app we created called Self-Pause.
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It's spelled S-E-L-F-P-A-U-S-E.
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It's available for both Apple and Android devices
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and it's filled with guided affirmations, mindset tools,
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and resources designed to help you build
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a consistent, powerful mental routine.
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Whether you're working on healing, confidence, stress reduction,
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or just creating a brighter inner world,
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Self-Pause gives you a space to practice daily.
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We made it with your growth in mind.
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So if you're ready, pause the scroll, download Self-Pause,
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and begin shaping the thoughts that shape your life.
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Take care of yourself today.
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You deserve gentleness.
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Thank you for listening.