Do positive affirmations work for anxiety?
Written By Tiffany Woodfield, Financial Coach, TEP, CRPC®, CIM®
Positive affirmations absolutely work for anxiety!
But first, let’s first explore what anxiety is. Then, we’ll talk about how positive affirmations help and give an example of how they can help.
Anxiety is when your thoughts are getting out of control, and you are spiralling, envisioning that the worst is going to happen.
It all starts in your brain and with your perceptions. So what better way to address these thoughts than to confront them at the source with positive affirmations?
Read on to gain an understanding through an example.
How do you affirm control over anxiety?
The first step is to pause and take a deep breath.
Your breath is your home base, and it is a tool that is always with you. Believe it or not, your breath is sending a direct message to your brain that you are here and present because most anxiety is over a future event and not in this moment.
It will likely take more than one deep breath, but just notice and feel it in your body.
What sound does breathing make?
Where do you feel it most strongly?
The next step is to acknowledge the fear you are experiencing.
What are you afraid of, and what caused this anxiety?
Can you describe it in the third person?
Doing this makes you an observer of your emotions and helps you be curious rather than just reacting.
For example, if you are anxious because you are worried that you said something wrong and are starting to escalate, pause and take a few deep breaths. Then, acknowledge this fear. Say to yourself:
“I see you are anxious and worried about what the other person will think because of what you said. This feeling is normal, and you are okay.”
Reminding yourself how you feel is normal and that you will be okay is acknowledgement followed by a positive affirmation.
You will also want to explore why you feel insecure in this situation because it will reappear. So, take time once you are back home to work on positive affirmations that you might use daily to address this fear.
Below, I have given a few examples of positive affirmations to get you started:
- My feelings are important, and I need to be my own advocate.
- I can’t control others, but I can control my reaction.
- Everything is always working out for me.
- I have everything I need to do this well.
- I am smart and brave.
- I can do anything I set my mind to.
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About the Author
TIFFANY WOODFIELD is a financial coach, cross-border expert, and entrepreneur based out of Kelowna, BC. As a TEP and associate portfolio manager, Tiffany has extensive experience working with successful professionals who want to leave a legacy and enjoy an adventurous, work-optional lifestyle. Tiffany combines extensive knowledge from her background as a financial professional with coaching and her passion for personal development to help her clients create a unique path that allows them to live their fullest potential. Tiffany has been a regular contributor to Bloomberg TV and has been interviewed by national and international publications, including the Globe and Mail and Barron’s.