Mental Health Positive Affirmations

Are you feeling bad about yourself? Stressed at work? Overwhelmed with family responsibilities? Most people have phases of life when it feels like there’s too much going on, and they feel extra anxious, stressed, or down about themselves for a while. To counteract these moments of doubt and stress, you could work on developing helping coping skills that lift you up and can be done anytime and anywhere. 

One strategy involves using positive affirmations and repeating them to yourself daily when needed. Read on to learn more about mental health affirmations and 50 examples to help you get started. 

What Are Daily Affirmations? 

Daily affirmations are short statements that you write down or repeat to yourself. Often, you’ll take whatever is going on in your life and curate an affirmation that helps reassure you about the situation. For example, when you’re feeling stressed about work, you might repeat to yourself, “I am capable of doing these tasks” or “I am allowed to take breaks and have time to myself.” 

Benefits of Positive Affirmations for Mental Health

Self-affirmations activate the ventromedial prefrontal cortex in your brain, which is associated with self-related processing and valuation. In fact, using affirmations regularly can help you shift the way you think about certain topics, including yourself. It can help you change the way you think about who you are and what you’re capable of. For example, if you’re constantly telling yourself you’re bad at doing job interviews, that could become a self-fulfilling prophecy. You might end up being more nervous during the interview because you believe that you’re bad at it. 

However, suppose you regularly reassure yourself that you are capable of handling yourself well during an interview and that you have the qualifications for the job. In that case, you can change the way you think about interviews and your abilities. That can help you go into the interview feeling more confident and capable. 

In addition, some people also believe that these types of affirmations essentially provide your brain with a reward, and that can help boost your mood. Think about when someone pays you an unexpected compliment and how you feel then. You’re trying to do that on purpose every time you’re repeating a positive affirmation. 

While affirmations are certainly helpful, keep in mind that they’re not a magic bullet for your mental health. They can’t replace therapy, medication, and other self-care practices. If you’re not taking care of your mental health, getting enough sleep, or eating well, regular affirmations aren’t going to fix that. Instead, they work better when they’re paired with good mental health practices. 

How to Use Mental Health Affirmations

To add affirmations to your mental health care routine, consider what areas in your life you would like to target. For example, are you feeling stressed? Or depressed? Or do you just want to boost your motivation? Figuring out what you hope to accomplish can help you craft affirmations that meet your needs and will be more effective for your situation. 

Then it’s helpful to find some examples or templates of positive affirmations, like the ones we’ve gathered here. Starting with these can be easier than trying to come up with something on your own. Once you’ve found a few affirmations that seem to fit what you want to accomplish or how you’re feeling, adjust them as needed to suit you. 

After you have your affirmations written down, decide how you’ll use them. Maybe you want to write them down repeatedly in a journal to help the ideas sink in or repeat them out loud with a mirror. You can determine if it would be helpful to repeat your affirmations every day or just when they’re needed. 

50 Positive Affirmations for Mental Health

Looking for some affirmations to help you get started? These are 50 you can use and adjust to use every day or when you need a little extra support. 

Daily Affirmations

Use these affirmations every day to help build yourself up: 

• “I am worthy of love and kindness, including from myself.”

Remind yourself that your value is inherent and not tied to external validation.

• “I am allowed to take up space and prioritize my well-being.”

Encourage yourself to set boundaries and prioritize self-care without guilt.

• “My feelings are valid, and I can work through them one step at a time.”

Recognize the importance of your emotions and your ability to handle challenges.

• “Progress, not perfection, is my goal.”

Embrace growth over impossible standards and celebrate small victories.

• “I have the strength to face whatever comes my way.”

Reinforce your resilience and capacity to navigate difficult situations.

• “I release what I cannot control and focus on what I can.”

Reduce stress by letting go of things outside your influence and taking ownership of your choices.

• “I deserve to take time for myself to recharge and heal.”

Encourage yourself to pause and rejuvenate without feeling selfish.

• “I am not my mistakes; I am growing and learning every day.”

Separate your identity from your errors and focus on personal development.

• “I am grateful for the good things in my life, no matter how small.”

Shift your perspective toward gratitude to nurture positivity and resilience.

• “I trust myself to make decisions that are best for me.”

Empower yourself with confidence in your ability to navigate life’s choices.

Affirmations for Anxiety

When you’re feeling particularly anxious, these affirmations can help: 

• “I am safe and in control of my thoughts.”

Ground yourself with a reminder that anxiety is temporary and you have the power to manage it.

• “I breathe in calm and exhale worry.”

Use this affirmation to focus on your breath and release tension.

• “I have survived difficult moments before, and I can do it again.”

Remind yourself of your resilience and ability to overcome challenges.

• “My anxiety does not define me; it is just one part of my experience.”

Separate your identity from your anxious feelings to reduce their power over you.

• “It’s okay to feel this way; I allow myself to experience my emotions without judgment.”

Practice self-compassion and accept your feelings without resistance.

• “I am strong enough to handle whatever comes my way.”

Reassure yourself of your strength to face and manage difficult situations.

• “This feeling will pass, and I will find peace again.”

Emphasize the temporary nature of anxiety to give yourself hope and perspective.

• “I focus on the present moment and let go of worries about the future.”

Bring yourself back to the here and now to reduce feelings of overwhelm.

• “I trust myself to cope and make the best decisions for my well-being.”

Build confidence in your ability to navigate life’s challenges, even in anxious moments.

• “I am not alone; support is available to me when I need it.”

Remind yourself that help and understanding are within reach, reducing feelings of isolation.

Affirmations for Depression

Depression can be isolating and decrease your confidence. Having some affirmations up your sleeve to pull out when you’re feeling low can be helpful: 

• “This feeling is temporary, and brighter days are ahead.”

Remind yourself that your current emotions won’t last forever.

• “I am worthy of love, happiness, and peace.”

Affirm your inherent value, even when it feels hard to see.

• “I am allowed to take things one step at a time.”

Ease the pressure by focusing on small, manageable progress.

• “I am not my thoughts; I can observe them without judgment.”

Create distance between yourself and negative thoughts to reduce their impact.

• “I choose to focus on the small joys I can find today.”

Encourage yourself to notice and appreciate positive moments, however small.

• “I deserve to prioritize my mental and physical well-being.”

Give yourself permission to care for your needs without guilt.

• “I am stronger than I feel, and I have overcome challenges before.”

Draw on past experiences to affirm your resilience and strength.

• “It’s okay to not be okay; I am patient with myself as I heal.”

Allow yourself grace and understanding during difficult times.

• “I am not alone; there are people who care about me and want to support me.”

Remind yourself that help and connection are available.

• “I am making progress, even if it feels slow. Every step matters.”

Celebrate even the smallest efforts to reinforce your journey toward healing.

Affirmations for Confidence and Self-Esteem

If you’re feeling unsure of yourself or just want to build up better self-esteem, these affirmations can help when you’re using them regularly: 

• “I am capable, strong, and resilient.”

Reinforce your belief in your ability to handle challenges.

• “I deserve success, happiness, and respect.”

Affirm your worth and right to good things in life.

• “I trust myself to make decisions that are right for me.”

Build confidence in your judgment and choices.

• “I am proud of who I am and the progress I have made.”

Acknowledge your achievements, big or small.

• “I let go of self-doubt and embrace self-belief.”

Encourage yourself to replace negativity with empowerment.

• “I am enough just as I am.”

Accept yourself without needing validation from others.

• “My potential is limitless, and I am ready to explore it.”

Inspire yourself to pursue new opportunities and growth.

• “I speak kindly to myself and celebrate my unique qualities.”

Practice self-compassion and positive self-talk.

• “I radiate confidence and positivity in everything I do.”

Visualize yourself exuding confidence in all situations.

• “I am the author of my own story, and I write it with courage.”

Empower yourself to take control and create a life you’re proud of.

Motivational Affirmations

To help you raise your motivation, try repeating these affirmations to yourself: 

• “I am capable of achieving great things.”

Believe in your ability to accomplish your goals.

• “Every step I take brings me closer to my dreams.”

Focus on progress and persistence.

• “I have the power to create the life I want.”

Empower yourself to take action and shape your future.

• “Challenges are opportunities for growth and success.”

Reframe obstacles as stepping stones to achievement.

• “I am focused, determined, and unstoppable.”

Fuel your ambition and drive with unwavering confidence.

• “Each day is a fresh start to pursue my goals.”

Embrace the possibilities and potential of a new day.

• “I believe in my skills and talents to lead me to success.”

Trust in your unique abilities and value.

• “I welcome change as a chance to grow and improve.”

Stay open to transformation and embrace new opportunities.

• “I am resilient, and I overcome any challenge that comes my way.”

Reinforce your inner strength and perseverance.

• “The best version of myself is within reach, and I am working toward it every day.”

Inspire yourself to strive for personal growth and fulfillment.

Affirmations for Stress

When it seems like the weight of the world is on your shoulders, try telling yourself: 

• “I release what I cannot control and focus on what I can.”

Remind yourself to let go of unnecessary burdens.

• “I am calm, centered, and in control.”

Ground yourself in moments of tension.

• “This feeling is temporary, and I have the strength to move through it.”

Acknowledge that stress is fleeting.

• “I breathe in relaxation and exhale stress.”

Use this affirmation as part of mindful breathing exercises.

• “I have the power to find peace, even in challenging times.”

Reaffirm your inner resilience and calm.

• “My mind is clear, and my body is relaxed.”

Encourage a sense of physical and mental ease.

• “I am equipped to handle whatever comes my way.”

Build confidence in your ability to face stressors.

• “I choose to respond with patience and positivity.”

Focus on your reaction rather than the source of stress.

• “I create space for peace and calm in my life.”

Affirm your intention to prioritize balance and serenity.

• “Each deep breath restores my mind and body.”

Reinforce the power of simple, intentional actions to reduce stress.

Affirmations to Help You Build Resilience 

Maybe you’re feeling good about life but want to use affirmations to help you prepare for future challenges. These are a few that could help you build resilience: 

• “I am capable of overcoming any challenge that comes my way.”

Empower yourself to face difficulties head-on.

• “I learn and grow from every experience, even the tough ones.”

Recognize the potential for growth in adversity.

• “I trust in my ability to navigate uncertain times.”

Build confidence in your problem-solving skills.

• “Every setback is a setup for a comeback.”

Reframe obstacles as opportunities for a stronger return.

• “I am adaptable and open to change.”

Embrace flexibility as a key strength in building resilience.

• “My strength lies in my persistence and determination.”

Acknowledge your ability to keep moving forward.

• “I release what I cannot control and focus on what I can.”

Cultivate peace by letting go of what’s beyond your influence.

• “I am surrounded by support and resources to help me thrive.”

Remember that you don’t have to face challenges alone.

• “I have faced difficulties before and emerged stronger each time.”

Draw on your past experiences to fuel your resilience.

• “I am worthy of joy, even in challenging times.”

Affirm your right to happiness and fulfillment regardless of circumstances.

Reframe Your Thinking with Reframe

Using positive affirmations is one way to shift the way you think and in a way rewire the way your brain perceives life and yourself. To build off of this momentum, Reframe is an app designed to help you change the way you think to help you develop more resilience. Ready to get started? Download Reframe today.