Using Positive Affirmations to Combat Stress

I'm gonna be real with you for a second. We're all told to use affirmations to get that dream life, right? To manifest a million bucks and a beach house with a butler. And sure, that's one way to do it.

But what if we used them for something a little more... urgent? Like, to stop yourself from internally combusting every time you have to give a presentation or deal with that one family member at Thanksgiving.

Because here's the thing: affirmations aren't magic. They won't make the stress disappear overnight. But they will absolutely help you stop being a passenger in your own head, spiraling into a pit of "what ifs" and "I can't." And over time, they can even help you build up a thicker skin so those little anxieties don't hit quite so hard.

First, You Gotta Face the Monster

You can't fight a monster you can't see, right? The first step is to get all of those shitty, negative thoughts out of your head and onto a page. Do you worry about saying something stupid at a work party? Do you get a knot in your stomach thinking you'll freeze up on stage?

Write it all down. Every single fear.

Acknowledge it. See it for what it is. Then, make a conscious decision to tell that little voice in your head to shut the hell up.

Now, Flip the Script

You have your list of insecurities. Now it's time to take each one and turn it into a powerhouse of a statement.

And here's the key: don't just lie to yourself. Your brain is smart, and it knows when you're bullshitting it. Instead, remind yourself of a time when you were a badass.

Remember that time you gave a killer pitch even though you were nervous? Or when you managed to hold a conversation with a complete stranger and it didn't feel awkward at all? Tie your affirmations to those wins.

Can't think of any? Call a friend, a partner, or a colleague. I guarantee they have a much more positive view of you than you do. Your loved ones see the real you—the person who shows up and gets things done, even when you're terrified.

Write down some phrases that feel real to you. The kind of thing you'd say to a friend who was struggling. "I'm feeling stressed, and that's okay. I'm going to get through this." "I can do this. I've done harder things." "When this is over, I'm gonna treat myself to a big slice of pizza and a nap."

Get Your Shit Together

Like I said, affirmations aren't magic. They're a tool. And tools work best when you're prepared.

If you're worried about a presentation, don't just hope for the best. Prepare for the worst. Write down your notes. Rehearse in the mirror. Have a backup plan in case the tech goes sideways. Know that you know your stuff. This isn't your first rodeo.

Anticipate what could go wrong and have a plan for it. Bring a bottle of water in case your mouth goes dry. Keep your notes handy in case your brain decides to take a coffee break.

When you're prepared, your affirmations aren't just empty words; they're the cherry on top of a very real, very solid plan.