Mental health is a topic I’m passionate about.
I have zero fear in talking about it and see only positives from bringing the topic of mental health into the light.
But if you don’t know me or this is your first time here, please go and check out my other blog posts too. I talk a lot about mental and emotional well-being from a motherhood perspective.
You can read about me and my qualifications here.
And now, onto the main topic.
Daily affirmations for mental health
Positive Statements
If you’ve never tried using affirmations to help with your mental health, now is the time!
Below you’ll find a list of phrases to repeat (aka affirmations), which you can say either in your head or out loud.
(The repetition of saying them is what makes them work.)
Daily affirmations can be a life-changing tool. I know, a big statement!
And you’re probably rolling your eyes, thinking, “yeah, right!”
But think about it. Depending on how old you are, you’ve probably had decades of negative self-talk.
So by repeating positive statements to yourself through force or intention for a few minutes every day, from now on; you will start to reshape those neural pathways in your brain.
And essentially reprogramme what talk goes on up there. Booting out the bad and inviting in the good!
You see, science shows the brain is adaptable, even in old age.
It changes depending on what you tell it.
So I say, start now – telling it good things, and watch how you feel over time.
Positive thinking doesn’t happen naturally. We have to train our way into it (practice, practise, practise – repeat, repeat, repeat).
Unhelpful Thoughts
Through affirmations, what you may find is you become more aware of what you’re telling yourself in general.
We all have deep-seated beliefs and baggage from our past, which keep us stuck.
So using affirmations with intention and through choice will help clear out those old stories and beliefs which trap you.
I recommend taking several moments a day to tune in and get present to the stream of thoughts in your head. I’ll bet any money that you’re saying harmful, self defeating things to yourself.
In being aware of this you can change it. Immediately switch it around in the moment.
Maybe you’re telling yourself things like “I’m a sh*t mom” or “I can’t do this!” when those thoughts are entirely untrue and unhelpful.
So when you notice these thoughts or feelings, immediately flip it to being something positive about yourself.
Even if it feels heavy to do or you don’t believe what you’re saying, ultimately, you will believe it (if you keep doing this practice regularly, that is.)
Read more on this technique here.
Thought Patterns
As the body can fully recover from an illness if you nourish it and give it some help and support, so can the mind.
Being proactive in taking care of your mental health is critical here. Affirmations are one part of a whole heap of tools you have at your disposal!
For more tools to help boost your mental health, I recommend reading these:
Simple stress relief for busy moms
Holistic remedies to reduce anxiety naturally
Realising and embodying the fact that mental health is of the utmost importance to living life well is a significant mindset shift.
You must realise how important your mental health is in living a good life for yourself.
Just looking at statistics. We must all open our eyes to how prevalent mental illness is.
“1 in 4 people will experience a mental health problem of some kind each year in England.”
“1 in 6 people report experiencing a common mental health problem, like anxiety or depression in any given week in England.”
“Throughout someone’s lifetime, 1 in 5 people have suicidal thoughts.”
(All stats from Mind.org.uk)
The good news is that you are NEVER stuck.
There is always a way. Even if you’re reading this in an extremely low mood right now, know that you can turn that around pretty sharpish – affirmations here we come!
Short Positive Affirmations
Try out any of these statements.
When I say try out, I don’t mean just read them.
I mean sitting with yourself and repeating them again and again in one sitting. Start with saying them out loud or in your head 20 times in a row.
“My thoughts are just thoughts, nothing more.”
“I am doing my best.”
“I can do this.”
“I choose to be kind to myself.”
“I am a fantastic mom.”
“Everyone’s on a different journey.”
“I don’t need to compare myself anymore.”
“I know myself better than anyone.”
“I choose to be present.”
“I know what’s best for me”
“My body, my values.”
“I am the best and only mom for my kids.”
“I am unique and appreciate my worth.”
“Negative beliefs are not who I am.”
“Today is a new day.”
“Mental wellness is my birthright.”
“I am strong.”
“I am powerful.”
Positive Mantras
The previous statements are short and punchy, but these are a bit longer.
As I said, repeat any that resonate with you and leave out/ignore the rest.
“There is ALWAYS something I can do to boost my mood and brighten my day.”
“The best way for me to feel AWESOME is to make it happen right now!”
“Daily life is breathtakingly beautiful despite its challenges.”
“I do know, even if my head tells me I don’t!”
“I am far stronger than I give myself credit for!”
“My family loves me to bits, and I love them even more.”
“I’m doing my best right now. I know this will pass, and I’ll be stronger for it.”
“I commit to giving myself as much time as I give others.”
“I am my own best friend, together for life! No more bullshit. No more negative self-talk. I deserve way better!”
“Even in a tough situation, I can still smile, hold my head high, and get on with things.”
“That’s like me through and through! Smashing it!”
“I am deserving of everything I want in my life. No one gets to decide that for me except ME!”
Want to boost the power of these affirmations even more? Say them in front of a mirror! Intense and somewhat uncomfortable the first few times you do it, but so worth it too.
Present Tense
One thing to be aware of with affirmations is to say them in the ‘now’ tense (present moment).
For example, statements with an ‘I will’ are future tense. So be careful and make sure anything you affirm is happening now.
This is why ‘I am’ statements are very persuasive (even if at first you don’t believe them).
Examples:
“I am infinite.”
“I am unique.”
“I am pure energy.”
“I am light and love.”
“I am happy and joyful.”
“I am my own best friend.”
The thing I’m wary of is saying something so outrageous that my mind just switches off when I hear it.
So I personally don’t use ‘I am’ statements unless I see them as accurate. They may, however, work for you if you’re good at visualising your future self, let’s say, so give them a go.
Own Affirmations
You absolutely SHOULD make up affirmations yourself and pop them on sticky notes around your room or print them out.
Talk about giving yourself a boost when it’s needed!
Spend some time journaling and figuring out what is most essential for you to focus on right now, and then write down those affirmations.
Stress Management
I’m not an expert on mental health by any stretch – compared to say a psychiatrist.
But I have extensive training in well-being coaching and healthcare, so I feel somewhat qualified to talk about the mental health topic.
So too am I someone who’s experienced my own form of mental health issues (hello postpartum anxiety.)
Equally, right now, I’m proactive in promoting the benefits of talking about good mental health. In intentionally looking after our minds – like we’re told to look after our bodies.
Things like expressing our feelings, not bottling up our emotions. Practising meditation and mindfulness. Finding support and empathy in being listened to and understood. Keeping a journal.
And if I can offer anything further in this post here, it’s what I do personally to look after my own mental health.
Here’s my mental care package for myself (feel free to use these ideas for your own benefit)
Mental Strength
- Take time out. Whether it’s away from work, away from social media, away from the news, whatever it’s away from, do it.
Our minds can’t cope with the constant noise they’re exposed to. Take time, a day, two days, a week or even longer, however long you need.
Take everything off your to-do list and spend some time gathering your thoughts and finding peace at that moment.
It’s easy to turn off our phones/the TV and avoid unnecessary stress and anxiety caused by it.
- Practise mindfulness. It’s my go-to when my mind is too busy.
To read more about mindfulness, visit this post I wrote. It’s a real holiday for the mind.
- Talk about it. I don’t buy into the notion that there’s not enough help out there for people who’re struggling with their mental health.
There is more help now than there’s ever been before.
Yes, I agree that waiting lists can be long and phone lines busy, but please, please, keep trying.
Don’t give up at the first hurdle. There is always someone to talk to.
- Get interested. If you’ve been diagnosed with a mental health illness (or you feel you’re suffering), help yourself by getting educated on it.
Whether it’s depression, eating disorders, anxiety, PTSD or anything else – you can bet there are gazillions of publications, books, self-help courses and blogs to help you overcome it.
- Be proactive, not reactive.
Look after yourself! Eat better! Exercise in the fresh air! Spend time away from screens! You’ve heard it all. But are you doing it?
If not, why not?
Have deep and meaningful conversations with those you love. Listen to them properly (a form of mindfulness).
Read happy books. Treat yourself to a warm bath or an enjoyable hobby. Journal. Meditate. Sunbathe. Go for walks. The answers are out there – you just need to follow through on it.
I hope this post helps and inspires you. Remember to look after your mind like you look after your body.
Hugs, and pop a comment below if you appreciate this post.
Sophie x
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