Affirmations for stress and anxiety

If it is your first back to work, school, tasks, activities, or just your first day really taking a good look at life again post-holiday season, welcome back. If you are feeling overwhelmed, you are not alone. I woke up today while the sun was still dreaming and immediately thought about how tired I was and how long of a day it would be. That alone made me feel anxious. I felt like I would not make it successfully through the day because the tasks seemed insurmountable.  

While looking in the mirror this morning, I said five affirmations to help calm my spirit. Not only did these affirmations show up for me in random moments when I needed them, but they have me here at 6:57 pm writing this post while my daughter completes her gymnastics lesson. Here are the 5 affirmations I use to ease my anxiety: 

1. I am capable.

2. I have the tools I need.

3. I manage time, it does not manage me.

4. I will complete my tasks.

5. I will have a good day. 

So how did these affirmations show up for me?  

I am capable.

Well, you are reading this, so at the very least I would say that is a great sign that I can do what I put my mind to. Affirmation number one was important because every time I started it feel overwhelmed, I immediately said it to myself and felt my whole body relax. It was the tension release button my soul needed throughout the day. "I am capable of getting my to-do list done.” “I am capable of completing my work tasks.” “I am capable of showing up for my daughter so she can take part in curricular activities.” “I am capable of getting us a good dinner despite my busy schedule.” The more I told myself I was capable, the more I was able to actively respond to perceived barriers.  

I have the tools I need.

Having necessary tools can mean small things like an effective alarm clock (to get up on time), or very big things like an accountability partner that aids in checking off 2-3 minor tasks I needed during my free hours this morning. Community is a tool, and I am so proud that I have made it a priority over the past few months. A tool can be an idea, like me stepping into my management role by delegating tasks, which I am terrible at doing but practice makes perfect. 

I manage time, it does not manage me.

Waking up at four in the morning was one of the hardest things I’ve done this year. Yes, I realize it has only been four days, but that is monumental for 96 hours in the life of Brittanie. I told myself I would be a morning person and so I got up and made tea. For the first time in a long time, I didn’t feel rushed. I felt like time belonged to me for the rest of the day.

I will complete my tasks.

A tool that I use to help with my daily tasks is the summit app. Its event calendar and checklists integrate into my iPhone calendar so I can see the reminders across my devices. When I have a moment during my work-day, I can go into the app and check off tasks and appointments. To-do lists are my favorite because they actively show me getting things done. That gratification is empowering.

I will have a good day.

I think I’ve always loved the idea of affirmations, but they remained ideas in my head. I have not been one to practice them daily, because I think they needed to feel personal to me. These affirmations are all things I said into a voice note this afternoon when I made the decision to leave work where it was and be done. I don’t balance my work and life well, I can tend to stay late, or bring it home with me. Today I said no. When I got into the car I mumbles, “You have the tools you need to carry out that task tomorrow, so do it tomorrow. Focus on the evening ahead with your daughter. You are capable of accomplishing the tasks and you will before the end of the week. You’re going to enjoy the rest of your day.” When I listened to the voice note it became clear that I used those 5 phrases regularly to affirm myself through the day, and I did so many things. I’m proud of myself, and in the famous words of NWA’s own, “I gotta say it was a good day.”