Do positive affirmations work for anxiety?
Written By Tiffany Woodfield, Financial Advisor, 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 senior financial advisor, estate-planning expert, and dual-licensed portfolio manager based in Kelowna, British Columbia. She is the co-founder of SWAN Wealth Management, where she helps Canadian and cross-border families build lasting wealth, reduce tax risk, and create meaningful legacies.
As a TEP (Trust and Estate Practitioner) and associate portfolio manager, Tiffany works closely with successful professionals, business owners, and internationally mobile families who want to enjoy a more flexible, work-optional lifestyle. She combines deep technical expertise in wealth management with a strong focus on mindset, personal development, and purposeful decision-making.
Tiffany has been a contributor to Bloomberg TV and has been featured in major national and international publications, including The Globe and Mail and Barron’s, for her insights on retirement planning, cross-border wealth issues, and estate planning.
Professional designations:
- TEP® – Trust and Estate Practitioner
- CRPC® – Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor
- CIM® – Chartered Investment Manager