How to Practice Positive Affirmations to Combat Stress
By Marnie Kunz
Photo by Viktor Forgacs.
Whether you’ve tried positive affirmations or you are new to the concept, these affirmations can help you combat stress. In today’s world, we are bombarded by stress and constant stimulation from our phones and electronics. As someone who experiences anxiety, I know how bad stress can get. My goal is to help you improve your mindset and mood with positive affirmations to help reduce stress.
Photo by Marques Jackson Photography.
What Are Positive Affirmations?
Positive affirmations are short, positive statements that help you challenge negative thoughts and circumstances. Affirmations work best when you repeat them daily - even up to multiple times per day.
Affirmations work by creating a more positive reality in your mind. When you tap into your subconscious, your mind often doesn’t distinguish between what is really happening and what’s in your mind. Affirmations encourage you to visualize a positive statement and with repetition, you start to believe the statement, consciously and subconsciously.
Positive affirmations can also help you shift your focus from feelings of inadequacy or doubts to more positive, encouraging thoughts.
According to researchers, affirmations can have a positive impact on helping to create new healthy behaviors, such as transitioning from a sedentary lifestyle to a more active lifestyle. I have used affirmations and visualization to make huge progress in my running and combat my anxiety (you can read more about my visualization experience and tips here).
The Truth About Affirmations
I want to clarify that positive affirmations are just one tool that can help you combat stress and live a more proactive, fulfilling life. But affirmations are not a magic pill that will cure everything in your life and they do not replace therapy or other professional help. Rather, affirmations are one tool you can add to your overall health strategy.
How to Practice Affirmations
Here are some quick tips to help you get started with positive affirmations:
Choose affirmations that resonate with you. You don’t have to repeat every positive affirmation you find online but rather create your own or choose ones from this list that suit you.
Practice affirmations twice a day for a few minutes at a time. An easy way to do affirmations is to say them when you wake up and before bed.
Pick 3 to 5 affirmation statements to focus on each session. If you try too many affirmations at once, it will be hard to really focus on what you want most.
Say each affirmation 10 times to reap the full rewards. It will feel repetitive but repeating your affirmation will help you envision your statement.
Visualize each statement as you say it. Picture how you feel and act as if you are living out the message. Visualization is a major factor in determining how much your positive affirmations can help you.
Be specific with your affirmations. Affirmations are similar to goals in that the more specific and realistic you are, the better they will work.
Positive Affirmations to Reduce Stress
These affirmations can get you started but feel free to create your own or adapt these to suit your needs. Here are some affirmations to help you de-escalate stress:
“I am good enough.”
“I can handle whatever happens.”
“I am strong.”
“I rise to meet challenges.”
“Challenges make me stronger.”
“I am smart and always find a way.”
“I breathe in energy and breathe out stress.”
“I stay calm even during challenging times.”
“I am safe. I will be ok.”
“It’s ok to be uncomfortable.”
“I have done this before and I will do it again.”
“I got this.”
Have you tried positive affirmations? What helps you beat stress? Comment below or share your tips with me on the Runstreet Instagram. For more wellness tips - including a new mantra each week - delivered to your inbox weekly, sign up for our Wellness Wednesday newsletter. 👋
Take care, Wolf Pack, and good luck with your affirmations. 😊 Get more training and fitness tips on my Runstreet Youtube and tag @Runstreet on Instagram to share your workouts and get cheered on.
Related Posts: How to Make a Self-Care Plan, Relaxation Tips for Runners, 51 Self-Care Sunday Ideas to Recharge, 6 Tips to Visualize Running Success, How to Use Running Mantras
Marnie Kunz is a NASM-certified Brooklyn trainer, USATF, and RRCA-certified running coach, and the creator of Runstreet Art Runs, which bring together communities through running and street art. She lives with her bossy Akita dog in Brooklyn. She enjoys running coaching, traveling, art, and eating messily. You can follow her running and training at @Runstreet Instagram.
