An affirmation is a positive statement used to reshape and encourage a positive outlook and confidence in achieving goals. These affirmations for anxiety help counteract anxiety and other feelings of inadequacy.
This is something that is easy to imagine but often difficult to perform. In fact even if you are faithful with reciting affirmations, they may not be the answer or the only answer. It may be a matter of retraining your brain to think upbeat thoughts and to act accordingly.
First, try to avoid statements that have a negative impact like “I won’t overeat.” The better statement is “I will stay healthy”. There are methods to reinforce the statements like looking in the mirror or to touch the area you want to affect by making your statement. It will help your brain connect with the statement and reinforce the affirmation making it more powerful.
Some words you might want to consider in your affirmations include:
- I am…
- I release…
- My body is…
- My mind is…
- I love…
You can also find sites that offer daily statements that can jog your memory.
Sample Affirmations for Anxiety
- I let go of what I can’t change and do my best with what I can.
- I am relaxing each part of my body.
- I release myself from stress.
- My body is calm.
- I find joy in the little things
- I have been through hard things before and have survived them.
- I have the ability to overcome anxiety.
- I am worthy of good things.
- All of my feelings are valid.
- Everything that is happening now is truly for my highest good.
- I believe in my ability to get through tough times.
- The feelings in my body are normal and I fully accept them.
- I have everything I need within me.
You get the idea.
The brain’s subconscious stores emotions. If you have been programming your mind toward the negative and creating anxiety, don’t expect overnight results.
Most recommendations include using affirmations multiple times a day, as many as 20 times. Saying them aloud has more impact but you need to do it with confidence and belief. You can also try writing them down. This acts as a secondary reinforcement to allow your brain a second place to absorb the information.
It’s a good idea to keep affirmations short, and simple. Like mentioned previously, keep them in the present tense with no negative statements. If you keep a journal, as you reflect on the day you can describe how these affirmations made you feel and whether or not they were helpful. If not, perhaps you can think about what was different than during times they were beneficial.
Something to keep in mind is that you have the right to your own feelings. Anxiety often comes with other symptoms. If you find that you are unable to handle your anxiety alone, speak with your primary care physician or seek the services of a professional mental health worker.
For help in coming up with affirmations that can combat what makes you anxious, find a therapist and book an appointment today.
