THINK yourself young (it works!)

We’re all guilty of falling into the “negative self-talk” trap — but there’s a super easy way out Surely you’ve heard the phrase “you are what you eat,” {NAME}. But have you ever considered: You are what you hear? Well, a study at Yale University found people with positive self-thoughts lived an average of 7.5 years longer than others…1 Meaning negative self-talk can potentially limit the quality AND length of your life! So if your inner dialogue ever gets intrusive — with defeatist thoughts like… “Jeez, I look old today.” Or… “I hate getting older.” You might be cheating yourself out of looking and feeling your very best (and living your longest, happiest life!). Now, I just want you to know: You’re not alone. I know, because I used to fall into the “negative talk” trap myself. See, during my residency, I found myself suffering with a bit of imposter syndrome… But I knew confidence would be such an important part of my career. I’d be taking care of others, after all! So, I took a page out of my sister's book (she’s big on self-improvement)... And went down a rabbit hole learning all about self-affirmations. Affirmations are personal mantras that promote self love and development. And while they may sound a little “hippy dippy”... Remember: I’m a science guy… And since research shows affirmations can positively impact our health, education, and relationships…2 I gave them a shot and never looked back. Building Your Affirmations To create a powerful affirmation, start by thinking about the negative things you say to yourself. Let’s take one of the lines from earlier: “Jeez, I look old today.” This is a pretty common feeling as we get age. But this critical tone isn’t productive… And only reinforces fears and insecurities behind aging. So instead of confirming that negative belief — redirect your words in a positive way. Start with words “I” or “my”... Focus on things you can control… And frame your affirmation in the present tense. For example, try saying to yourself: ✔ “I have the ability to combat signs of aging while embracing the wisdom I’ve gained through my life.” ✔ “I am making good choices with my diet, exercise, and self-care that create a positive aging experience.” ✔ “I grow and evolve every year of my life.” Repeat this process with your most common self-criticisms, and you’ll have a list of personalized affirmations to transform your inner dialogue. (And yes — affirmation ARE stronger when said aloud. It might feel silly at first, but it stating them aloud actually encourages your brain to take these positive affirmations as fact. So give it a go — it gets easier every time!) Using Your Affirmations To get the most out of your affirmations, you’ll need to incorporate them into your daily routine.3 So I recommend repeating your affirmations twice a day for about a minute, as you complete your morning and nighttime skincare routines. That way, you can look at your reflection as you say them — and really cement them into your daily regimen. I also recommend keeping a physical copy of your affirmations handy — like on a note stuck to your bathroom mirror — so you don’t forget to say them. Stay Flexible With Your Affirmation Of course, it’s okay for your affirmations to change over time. In fact… they totally should. After all, as life goes on, our fears and priorities change. And your affirmations should reflect that. Keep in mind, affirmations shouldn’t take the place of self-care. They should add to it. So continue to do the things that make you feel good… Like eating well, exercising, and taking care of your skin. And remember to be kind to yourself every step of the way. :) Your Beverly Hills MD, Dr. Payman Danielpour   //links.beverlyhills-md.com/a/141/click/9855055/742234759/_d58d69de911042aa8d625e51347d274360cfe48f/0e2e2579b93dadc27e9015110bed2a5b25edecf1     This email was sent to {EMAIL} by jlayke@beverlyhills-md.com [Edit Profile]( | [Manage Subscriptions]( | [VIP Discounts]( | [Join Text Club]( | [Subscribe](  Beverly Hills Plastic Surgery Group 436 N. Bedford Dr. Suite 214 Beverly Hills, CA 90210   [Report Spam](  These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Â