10 Positive Affirmations for Anxiety

Use affirmations to refocus your thoughts and let your brain know you are ok. Here are 10 positive affirmations for anxiety.

Affirmations are any positive statement that has meaning to you. Positive affirmations for anxiety can be helpful when you are stuck down the anxiety rabbit hole. Our brains can get stuck on negative, anxious, unhelpful thoughts. You can use affirmations to replace these thoughts and give your brain something helpful to focus on.

When choosing an affirmation, you want it to resonate with you. What works for someone else, may not be the best fit for you. Thus, think about your anxiety specifically and choose a statement that focuses on overcoming anxiety in the way you need to.

10 positive affirmations for anxiety

1. “It’s not happening right now.”

Anxiety can often focus on the past or the unknown of the future. Therefore, reminding our brain that in this current moment nothing bad is happening to us can bring a sense of relief.

2. “This is just a thought.”

Anxious thoughts do not have to mean anything. They do not mean the feared scenario is more likely to happen. They do not mean what you are thinking is true. Consider this affirmation to remind your brain that a thought is just a thought

3. “No amount of anxiety can change the future.”

Another positive affirmation for anxiety that challenges our brain’s tendency to fear the unknown future. This affirmation can help your brain accept that things are outside of your control.

4. “Worrying about the future is ok, but don’t forget about today.”

I love this one because it’s kind to your brain. You’re accepting your anxiety exists and gently bringing your brain back to the present moment.

5. “Ride the wave.”

Anxiety is like a wave. It comes and goes. It does not stay with us forever. When you think about it, you are not always anxious. There are periods of calm. You’ve ridden the wave before and survived. While unpleasant, you can ride it again.

6. “Thank you, but no thank you brain.” 

This is one of my gold standard ones to teach my clients. It’s kind to yourself for having the thought because the brain is only trying to protect you. At the same time, you are teaching your brain that this thought is not needed at this time. You’re turning the anxiety alarm off.

7. “I am bringing my anxiety with me.”

If we waited to do everything until we no longer felt anxious, we’d never do anything. It’s important to get to a place where you accept having anxiety and you bring it along with you. It can sit next to you while you live your life. And, by bringing it with you, your brain will become less anxious over time.

8. “I find balance in my thinking.”

What loves to dwell on the worst-case scenario? Anxiety! When you’re down at the bottom of the rabbit hole, take some time to consider other possible outcomes for what you are anxious about. Consider the best-case scenario. Consider the middle-case scenario. I have a blog post all about this you can read here.

9. “Anxiety exists for a reason.”

I’ve worked with so many clients who say their goal for therapy is to no longer feel anxious. Unfortunately, that will never happen. And, nor should it. Pushing against your anxiety will only make it more difficult to overcome. This affirmation can help with acceptance of having anxiety in the first place.

10. “I will continue to heal.”

You’ve been making progress on your anxiety and then you have a rough day. It can feel defeating and almost like you are backsliding. Remember that you have made progress and will continue to make progress. Every moment of anxiety that you get through, teaches your brain something. One bad day doesn’t mean your brain has unlearned everything you’ve taught it.

How to use positive affirmations for anxiety

My favorite method to teach my clients is to have a note on their phone where they store helpful anxiety affirmations. You can then add to this list as you identify affirmations that work for you. And then, when you are struggling with anxious thoughts, you pull this list up and read through them. Having them written down takes the work out of it for you in the heat of the moment.

About the author:

I am a psychotherapist who specializes in teaching millennial and Gen Z women how to improve their anxiety. I work with women on identifying positive affirmations for anxiety that work for them specifically and how to incorporate these affirmations into their daily life. 

If you are in Illinois or Wisconsin, connect with me to see if we may be a good fit to meet your needs and goals. You can also check out my services page to learn more.