Affirmations for Anxiety
You have heard about positive affirmations at least once in
your life.
I don't know how many of you are followers of these practices or how many of you say such positive sentences to yourself daily, but for me, this has become like a daily routine.
I
will explain in this article why it no longer seems strange to me to do this
and why these positive words help me start well every day and have more
confidence in myself.
Saying
positive affirmations to yourself may seem strange, if not very strange. Especially
if you don't think you will get any results.
However,
studies show that we can teach our brains to believe what we want to tell it.
Affirmations
for Anxiety Relief
Suffering anxiety frequently and intensely can interfere with the person's daily life, leading to the person avoiding social life, family gatherings, daily duties, and work responsibilities.
In
short, anxiety can cause the person to stop carrying out activities necessary
for their personal,
Social
and work development, leading to the development of mood disorders (including
depression) and severe self-esteem problems.
Anxiety
generates alterations in the body, such as intense fatigue, cardiovascular
disorders, gastrointestinal disorders, and skin problems.
It
can also cause what is known as "psychosomatic disorders," where
biological factors responsible for the symptoms of the illness or disease are
not identified.
Excess
anxiety can cause enormous wear and tear to which the body reacts, generating
ailments and diseases,
Sometimes,
it has serious consequences, which is why it is necessary to treat an anxiety
disorder as soon as possible.
There
are many ways to manage and relieve anxiety, one of which is to use positive
affirmations.
However,
as with other forms of anxiety relief, affirmations don't work for everyone,
and some people may benefit more than others.
Still,
if you're struggling to manage your anxiety, it's worth trying positive
affirmations, as they're safe, accessible, and easy to use.
They
may provide other benefits, such as a greater sense of calm, positivity,
or balance.
Before
we begin, it's also important to note that we all experience anxiety. It's a normal
part of life.
Therefore, you should not expect affirmations or anything else to be a "cure" for anxiety.
Click here for Guided Meditation for Anxiety and Overthinking
Likewise,
if you suffer from an anxiety disorder (severe or persistent anxiety), it is
best to consult a healthcare professional first.
What are positive
affirmations?
If
you've never used affirmations, you may wonder what they are. Quite simply,
these are positive statements that you repeat to yourself regularly.
This
is usually a list of 10 to 50 affirmations you read aloud or listen to an audio
recording each day.
Positive
affirmations can be powerful tools in managing anxiety, as they help us shift
our focus from pain to healing.
Encourage
us to believe in our power to deal with and manage anxiety effectively.
Things Affirmations
Can Do and Not Do
A
study from a team of psychologists from England stated that affirmations can be
used to reduce levels of anxiety and worry.
Please
note that affirmations cannot magically eliminate anxiety.
Even
so, affirmations can help you build and implement new, healthier attitudes and
behavior patterns.
Some
things you can affirm yourself to do, according to Medical News Today, include:
·
improve mood
·
increase
self-esteem
·
increase motivation
·
help you solve problems
·
increase feelings of optimism
·
overcome negative thoughts
How
Affirmations Can Help with Anxiety
Practicing positive affirmations is extremely simple: all you need to do is choose and repeat a phrase.
According
to The National Science Foundation, About 80% of the 50,000 subconscious
thoughts we all experience daily are negative.
To
turn it around and not drown in so many negative thoughts, positive
affirmations will be your new best friends.
According
to several research studies, positive affirmations can help you overcome
anxiety and improve your performance at work.
Taking
just a few minutes to think about your good qualities before an important
meeting (a performance review, for example) can calm your nerves,
Increase
your confidence in your abilities to achieve what you want and improve your
chances of success.
Self-affirmations
can also help alleviate anxiety and the effects of stress.
In
one study, a brief positive affirmation exercise improved the problem-solving
skills of subjects with anxiety and chronic stress to the level of those with
low stress.
They
work because when you repeat something to yourself, it becomes a reality. And
that's just what you're looking for.
What does science
say about positive affirmations and anxiety?
Affirmations, or positive self-talk, are a powerful tool that can profoundly impact our mindset and behavior.
While
some may dismiss affirmations as mere positive thinking, there is a scientific
basis behind their effectiveness.
When
we repeat positive statements to ourselves, our brain forms new neural pathways.
These
pathways, known as neuroplasticity, allow us to reprogram our thought patterns
and beliefs.
In
other words, affirmations can reshape our mindset and create a more positive
outlook.
What research has
shown about affirmations?
Research
has shown that affirmations can have a direct impact on our behavior.
By
constantly affirming positive statements, we can boost our confidence and
self-esteem.
This,
in turn, leads to increased motivation and a greater willingness to take on challenges.
Positive
self-talk can also help us manage stress and anxiety and overcome obstacles.
Studies
have shown that people who practice affirmations have lower levels of the
stress hormone cortisol and are better equipped to handle difficult situations.
The
power of affirmations extends beyond our state of mind. Our thoughts and
beliefs directly affect our actions and the results we experience.
When
we consistently affirm positive statements, we are more likely to take actions
that align with those beliefs.
This
can increase productivity, improve relationships, and overall personal growth.
The
culture of positivism is very present on social networks, where we constantly
see optimistic messages with a somewhat childish aesthetic, such as
"wanting is power," "nothing is impossible," or "your
only limit is you"...
However,
most of these statements understand that only we and our attitudes are responsible
for changing our situation.
Even
when we face tangible problems such as anxiety, mental health, and a difficult
moment in our life (breakup, death of a loved one...) or job insecurity.
In
this case, statements of this type can be harmful to our self-esteem and very
frustrating if we do not carry out our goals.
In
the long run, feelings of guilt and anxiety may appear. This is what is known
as toxic positivity.
Examples
of Affirmations for Anxiety
Okay,
now you know what positive affirmations are, how they can relieve anxiety, and
how to use them.
This
section will provide examples you can use or draw inspiration from to write
your own.
Calming Affirmations
for Anxiety
When
anxiety becomes overwhelming, it can be challenging to think about other things
and stay relaxed.
However,
you can use positive affirmations to help distract your mind and bring about a
feeling of calm and control:
·
I control my thoughts, and I know how to
relax.
·
Everything is fine, and I'm safe right now.
·
My muscles are relaxed, and my mind is calm.
·
I am at peace with myself, and I accept my
feelings.
Affirmations for
Social Anxiety
Meeting
new people, giving presentations at work, and other social interactions can
often cause some anxiety.
Here
are some affirmations to help calm your nerves and relieve social anxiety:
·
I like meeting people and making new
friends.
·
I can see the benefits of socializing and
talking to others.
·
I feel relaxed when I speak in a group.
·
Building new social connections is fun and
brings new opportunities.
Benefits of Affirmations for Anxiety
·
Improve
mental clarity and focus.
·
Enhance
self-esteem and confidence.
·
Promote
relaxation and calmness.
·
Improves
health.
·
It
helps you increase your performance.
· It
helps you to be more open, less on the attack (to perceive the received
messages differently and not always be on the defensive, analyze), and to
respond in a less defensive and resistant way when you are threatened, for
example.
· It
helps you think positively, make healthy choices, and make reasonable changes
in your life.
· It
helps you to move forward and take the necessary steps even if you still don't
see the light at the end of the tunnel.
· It
gives you a perspective.
· It
helps you to be more optimistic.
· Practicing
meditation through affirmation can help you have a much more restful sleep (I
also recently discovered some super cool applications that help me fall asleep
in a maximum of 10 minutes)
Effective
Affirmations for Anxiety Relief
Positive affirmative words are one of the techniques that can help you calm yourself in challenging times. They can also prove effective in stressful situations.
These
words can increase feelings of security, calm, and control. This is what people
with anxiety struggle with, as they feel like they are losing control of their bodies
and, ultimately, their lives as well.
When
your heart races, your breathing becomes shallow and harsh, and your whole body
feels tense; something inside you is broken, and you can't do anything to fix
it.
This
happens because your brain prepares for a perceived threat and activates the
"flight or fight response."
That's
why you must convince your subconscious that you are completely safe and in
control of the situation.
The
positive affirmative words below are mostly short and precise. This is the most
effective way to use it.
When
you're paralyzed by anxiety, your mind needs short, precise commands, not
vague, rambling statements.
Repeat
those words whenever you feel overwhelmed and stressed. You can complement it
with breathing techniques for maximum effect.
The
following are positive affirmative words that you can use whenever you start to
feel anxious, panicky and stressed,
1.
I feel calm and in control.
2.
I feel comfortable and safe.
3.
I let go of my anxiety and negative feelings.
4.
I let go of my negative thoughts.
5.
Every time I breathe, I breathe peacefully and calmly
6.
With every exhale, I exhale stress and worry.
7.
I let go of anxiety and stress
8.
I am in complete control of my life.
9.
I am responsible for my emotions.
10.
I am responsible for my body and mind.
11.
My breathing is calm and deep.
12.
My heart rate slows to its standard rate.
13.
My body is relaxed and comfortable.
14.
My muscles relax.
15.
I am fully present in the moment.
16.
I focus on my breathing.
17.
I let go of my fear of tomorrow.
18.
My future is bright and happy.
19.
I accept uncertainty and welcome what the future brings me.
20.
I am open to change.
21.
I am ready for what life throws at me.
22.
I deal with stress efficiently.
23.
I choose to fill my mind with positive thoughts.
24.
I choose to focus on positive emotions.
25.
I choose to focus on the beauty around me.
26.
I am in complete control of this situation.
27.
I am an intense and demanding person.
28.
I am strong enough to overcome any obstacle.
29.
I am stronger than my fears.
30.
I accept things that are beyond my control.
31.
I make peace with my past and let go of regrets
How to use affirmations
effectively
There are many ways we can use positive affirmations effectively. They can be spoken out loud, written on paper, listened to while spoken by others, etc.
Each
person is free to choose the most suitable method for himself.
They should be as short and straightforward as
possible.
Using
very long, vague, or complicated statements is not recommended to complicate
the whole process.
In
addition, it is essential to formulate them in the present tense. For example,
instead of saying, "I will have more confidence in myself."
we
can say, "My confidence in myself is growing daily." or "Every
day I trust myself." Also, negations should be avoided.
Instead
of saying, "I won't fail the exam." we can say, "I will pass the
exam with flying colors."
Suppose
you want to implement positive affirmations as quickly as possible.
In
that case, you can start by writing them down in a journal, re-reading them as
often as you feel the need, and repeating them out loud in front of the mirror,
In
the shower, before bed, when you wake up, or when you need it.
You
can also stick positive affirmation notes around the house, record yourself, or
listen to others say them for you.
Incorporating
affirmations into your daily routine is a powerful way to harness the power of
positive self-talk and transform your mindset.
While
affirmations may seem simple, they can profoundly affect your thoughts,
feelings, and actions.
Practical advice
that works
Finding
strategies that work for you is essential to make affirmations a habit.
· An
effective strategy is to set aside time each day for affirmations. This can be
in the morning when you wake up or at night before sleep.
Find a quiet and comfortable space to focus
solely on your affirmations without distractions.
Building a routine around this practice is
helpful, as consistency is key.
· Another
strategy is to incorporate affirmations into your existing daily routines.
For example, you can say affirmations while
brushing your teeth, showering, or during your daily commute.
By associating affirmations with activities
you already do regularly, you are more likely to remember them and incorporate
them into your routine effortlessly.
· Writing affirmations and posting them in visible locations can also be beneficial.
You can create affirmation cards or sticky
notes and place them on your bathroom mirror, workspace, or fridge.
Seeing these affirmations regularly serves
as a constant reminder and reinforces positive internal dialogue throughout the
day.
· Additionally,
consider using technology to support the practice of affirmations.
There are many apps and websites available
that provide daily affirmations or allow you to create your custom ones.
· Set
reminders on your phone to recite or read your affirmations at set times.
· Remember: consistency and repetition are crucial to making affirmations a habit.
It can take time for affirmations to become deeply ingrained in your thought patterns, so be patient with yourself.
With
practice and dedication, affirmations can become a powerful tool for changing
your mindset and cultivating a more positive and empowered outlook on life.
What
Is The Best Time To Affirm?
There
is no particular time of day when it is best to affirm. Positive affirmations
can jump to your rescue whenever you feel the need.
However,
experts recommend establishing a daily affirmation routine for long-lasting
results.
Choose
a time of day when you feel relaxed and have no other things on your mind.
You
can start by setting aside a few minutes each day. It's essential to stay
consistent and be patient. You can't reprogram your mind overnight.
Affirmations
Techniques for Anxiety Relief
I present to you these affirmations specifically if you are struggling with self-belief, over-worry, and chronic anxiety. These affirmation guidelines will help you.
Make
sure you're in a comfortable position, either lying down or sitting with your
back straight,
And
the list of affirmations you intend to use, with comfortable headphones on, if
you want to listen to the audio. While listening to these anxiety-eliminating
affirmations,
I
want you to feel the sense of rapid change in your body and mind.
Please
don't run from this feeling; embrace change, embrace the positivity, and let
yourself be one with this new transformational you now; with that said, let's
begin...
1. Start from "I"
Make
an affirmation from the first point of view. That way, the affirmations you
make can be more relatable to yourself.
Not
only that, the affirmations you make also make them more relevant to your goals.
So,
this makes it easier for you to believe in the affirmation.
2. Focus on the
present moment
Keep
in mind that affirmations are not a goal for you. So, when making it, make sure
you focus on the present.
For
example, you affirm, "I will be more confident to speak in front of other
people next year."
By
saying things like this, you indirectly tell yourself that you can finally feel
confident speaking in front of others.
Of
course, your current behavior will remain the same.
So,
change the structure of the affirmation sentence to deal with this anxiety as
if it has already happened and is accurate.
This
increases your chances of engaging in behavior that can make your affirmations
come true.
For example, you
could say this:
I can confidently
speak in front of others and build new networks in my industry.
3. Don't be afraid
to accept thoughts that make you anxious
If
you live with anxiety, acknowledging what you feel and experience in
affirmations can help you.
Because
anxiety is part of you. Making affirmations based on the reality you experience
makes it more robust for yourself.
Keep
your affirmations positive and focus on what you want to get based on
self-reflection.
For example, instead
of saying this;
I will not let this
anxiety affect my work anymore.
You can use
affirmations like this;
I can manage my
anxiety when I experience failure and achieve my goals even though I have these
feelings of anxiety.
4. Associate it with
your version of value or success
Linking
affirmations to your values and your version of success is also essential.
Because
it reminds you of things that are important to you.
Your
belief in your abilities strengthens as you continue to repeat these
affirmations. Thus, this encourages better self-empowerment.
An example of this
affirmation is as follows.
I feel stressed, but
I can get through this. I can manage my panic and stay calm because I have managed
to do it before.
These
are some tips you need when using affirmations to deal with anxiety.
Please
remember that affirmations cannot directly eliminate your feelings of anxiety.
Even
so, this can increase your self-confidence and help you overcome negative
thoughts caused by anxiety.
Conclusion
In
conclusion, Affirmations for anxiety relief can be a powerful tool to manage
and reduce anxiety.
Positive
affirmations are short, powerful statements that can help shift your focus from
pain to healing and encourage you to believe in your power to manage anxiety
effectively.
Research
has shown that affirmations can reduce levels of anxiety and worry, improve
mood, increase self-esteem and motivation, and help solve problems.
To
use affirmations effectively, it's essential to focus on the present moment,
associate them with your values and success, and not be afraid to accept
thoughts that make you anxious.
Consistency
and repetition are essential, and setting aside time each day is recommended to
practice affirmations.
Additionally,
writing down affirmations and posting them in visible locations, using
technology to support the practice, and incorporating affirmations into your
daily routine can be beneficial.
Remember,
affirmations are not a cure for anxiety, but they can be a helpful tool to
manage and reduce symptoms.
Affirmations
can help reduce anxiety and worry, improve mood, increase self-esteem and
motivation, and help solve problems.
Set
aside time each day to practice affirmations, focus on the present moment, and
associate them with your values and success.
It's essential to be patient and remember that affirmations are just one part of a comprehensive approach to managing anxiety.