If you have an anxiety disorder, simply thinking good thoughts won’t be enough to completely eradicate the symptoms you have been experiencing. But positive affirmations for anxiety can absolutely help you view your day-to-day challenges from a healthier perspective, respond to moments of distress in a more productive manner, and incorporate hope and gratitude into all aspects of your life.
15 Positive Affirmations for Helping Anxiety
Here are 15 positive affirmations for anxiety:
- I am not my anxiety. I will never be defined by a diagnosis or a set of symptoms.
- In this moment, I am safe and protected.
- I am in control of how I respond to challenges and setbacks.
- My thoughts don’t control me. I control my thoughts.
- When I inhale, I bring peace and positivity into my body. When I exhale, I release my doubts and fears.
- I’m not in danger. I’m just briefly uncomfortable. This will pass and I will be fine.
- I can relax my muscles and calm my mind.
- I can choose to let go of negative thoughts and emotions.
- I am not alone. I know where to turn for help when I need it.
- I am grateful for who I am and what I’ve accomplished.
- I don’t have to prove myself to anyone.
- I deserve to be here, and I deserve to be happy.
- Perfection is a myth.
- I do my best, and my best is enough.
- I am enough, exactly as I am.
Why Are Positive Affirmations Important?
Positive affirmations for anxiety aren’t just for the days when you’re really struggling.
When you’re having an especially great day – or when you’re in the midst of a typical day that features neither incredible successes nor overwhelming stressors – positive affirmations can help you build your psychological strength. This strength can, in turn, help you get through the tough times when they occur.
It can be helpful to think of positive affirmations for anxiety like you would think about strength training for athletes. Elite athletes don’t wait until the day before a game, match, or tournament to begin training. They put in the effort ahead of time, so when the moment of competition arrives, they are fully prepared.
Affirmations can work the same way. When you use them on a daily basis, you will be ready to rely on them during difficult moments.
What Other At-Home Techniques Can Be Used for Minimizing Anxiety?
Positive affirmations for anxiety aren’t the only at-home techniques that can help manage your stress and minimize your anxiety. Here are five other tips to help you achieve these goals and improve your overall quality of life.
- Meditate: Meditation is a simple practice that can yield a wealth of benefits for people who struggle with anxiety. There are many forms of meditation – but at its most basic level, the practice involves sitting still and focusing on your breathing. This allows you to be fully present in the moment. When disruptive thoughts arise, you can let them go by turning your focus back onto your breathing. Several reputable sources, including the Cleveland Clinic, have noted the many potential mental health benefits of meditation.
- Practice mindfulness: Mindfulness takes the central concept of meditation – being fully present in the moment – and extends it into all aspects of your life. Mindfulness empowers you to observe what is going on in your mind and in the world around you without fear or judgment. This can help reduce symptoms of anxiety and prevent you from becoming overwhelmed by negative thoughts.
- Keep a journal: The act of recording your thoughts, feelings, and experiences forces you to view your activities and mental processes from a slightly different perspective. This can remind you that you are not defined by what you think and feel – and that you can control how you respond to both positive and negative experiences. Often, simply expressing your thoughts and fears in writing can minimize the hold they had on you.
- Avoid isolation: Sometimes, people react to anxiety by shutting themselves off from family, friends, and other sources of support. Maybe they fear being criticized or stigmatized. Perhaps they don’t want to burden others with their own struggles. No matter the reason, isolation can exacerbate symptoms of anxiety and other mental health concerns. Those who care about you won’t feel that you are burdening them when you reach out for help – they will appreciate the opportunity to help you, just as you value being able to help them.
- Eat well and exercise: Never underestimate the value and strength of the mind-body connection. Staying active is an excellent way to manage stress. Additionally, eating well gives you the strength to engage in these types of activities. This doesn’t mean you have to hit the gym every day – simple acts such as going for walks, gardening, riding your bike, or playing with your dog can be ideal sources of exercise. As an added benefit, when you find an activity you enjoy, you will be much more likely to stick with it.
Please note that while positive affirmations for anxiety and other at-home techniques can be beneficial, they may not be sufficient for someone who has been experiencing acute symptoms of an anxiety disorder. For many people who have been struggling with anxiety and other mental health concerns, the ideal approach may involve combining these practices with professional mental health treatment.
Contact Our Treatment Center for Anxiety Today
Montare Behavioral Health is a nationally accredited provider of personalized care for adults who have been struggling with anxiety disorders, other mental health concerns, and co-occurring disorders. Our anxiety treatment center is staffed by skilled professionals who are committed to compassionate service within a safe and welcoming environment.
If anxiety has been preventing you from living the healthier life you deserve, the Montare Behavioral Health team is here for you. To learn more or to schedule a free assessment, please visit our Contact Us page or call our center today.
