Victory over Real Sociedad sees Real Madrid sit top of the table, with Barcelona to meet Girona tonight.
Asked about their revival under coach Alvaro Arbeloa, Valverde said: "Well, I think in the end it's what I was saying, the energy, the good results that are coming in, and the fact that the team is finding its rhythm.
"We've had weeks where we've had to swallow a lot of s***, and I think that helped us grow as players, grow as people. As I was just telling you, we've gone through some bad times, which I think we deserved. In the end, it made us change, mature as players who haven't won anything last year, and haven't won anything this year.
"So the first thing we have to do is get our heads straight, grow as individuals, and grow as players day by day. We have to recognize that things need to change, that they weren't right, and I think now is the time."
Asked about the unity amongst the players, the Uruguay midfielder also said: "It always has been, like I said, I think at least personally that when you're winning, it really helps to create a better flow in training, less anger, because in the end we're 25 players.
"We all fight to play, 11 play, there are 5 substitutions, there's always going to be some players who are a little less happy than others because they'd like to play more, but well, I think when things go like this, when we win, when players come in, contribute their bit, and do well, I think it helps everything run more smoothly."