Ever since I’ve acknowledged that I have anxiety, I have also become more self-aware and it has helped me recognise triggers and manage my feelings a bit better. Do you ever experience bad days or a few weeks of down time? It’s that time when, no matter how many times you go to the gym to exercise or how often you meditate or how good you are at breathing exercises—sometimes, nothing just seems to work. You should probably take that as a sign to motivate yourself with positive thoughts.
When this happens to me, I usually put myself in a cocoon of gentleness. I have a tendency to beat myself up over the smallest of things and when I’m not able to tick something off my to-do list or when I didn’t do the things I needed to do, the guilt I feel is insurmountable.
How am I supposed to conquer the day and achieve all the goals I set out for myself when I can’t even bring myself to get up?
This is how I usually talk to myself. It’s only recently I realised that while it sounds like a kick up the butt for some that may propel them to act—for me, sometimes it has a negative effect.
I find that it’s difficult to walk the line between motivating yourself and belittling yourself or bullying yourself.
If you just read through fitness motivational quotes (inspirational quotes to get fit), you’ll see what I mean and let me know if you agree.
Most of them are motivational and are positive, don’t get me wrong. However, there really are some that are bordering mean and aren’t good for your mental health or your emotional wellbeing when you’re feeling down. Some examples that come to mind are:
“You can’t get much done in life if you only work on the days when you feel good.”
Jerry West, 14-time NBA All Star, NBA Champion, and Olympic Gold Medalist
“If you are afraid of failure you don’t deserve to be successful!”
Charles Barkley, 11-time NBA All-Star and Olympic Gold Medalist
“If you think lifting is dangerous, try being weak. Being weak is dangerous.”
Bret Contreras, Sports Scientist
“A champion is someone who gets up when they can’t.”
Jack Dempsey, professional boxer
These are amazing and motivational and I’m not saying these won’t work. These types of motivational quotes are perfect for people like David Goggins who’s recognised to be the toughest man in the world for completing 100 miles in 24 hours. If you don’t know him, you can read about him here or watch the short clip below:
He’s truly an inspirational man because he has incredible self-discipline and strength. Personally, I think it’s bordering on lunacy but that’s just me. I feel like what drives him to achieve won’t always apply to others like myself who may need a gentler approach every now and again.
So how do you motivate yourself with positive thoughts when you have anxiety and you’re feeling fragile?
FIRST OF ALL, IT’S OKAY TO TAKE A BREAK
Make yourself a cup of tea. Lavender, chamomile, peppermint or berry–stir it with a teaspoon of honey. Go under the covers if you want to or if you have to.
JOT DOWN THE THINGS YOU LIKE ABOUT YOURSELF OR THINGS YOU HAVE ACCOMPLISHED
It can be small things. Did you get up on time this morning? Did you shower? Did you hold the door for someone today?
What do you like about yourself? If you were someone else, would you like to be your friend? Write down adjectives that you think describe you. If you’re having a hard time, ask a friend or a family member to describe what they like about you using 5 different adjectives. Make sure to write this down and bookmark it. If that’s too old school, type it in your notes app.
LISTEN TO THIS DAILY AFFIRMATION
I have a hard time meditating. My brain just won’t shut off. If you’re like me and you can’t switch off on your own, listening to instructional meditation videos or daily affirmation videos may help you. Do it early in the morning during your commute. If you work from home, do it before you start work.
TRY AROMATHERAPY
Have you ever tried essential oils to relieve your stress and anxiety? Based on personal experience, whenever I use my ceramic oil diffuser with lavender essential oil, it has helped calm me down. You can do this when you’re on your couch or when you’re in bed. Sometimes I like to run myself a hot bath using Imperial Leather’s Orchid and Ylang Ylang bath cream, turn off the bathroom light and just use the light from the tea candle so I can relax. I play this meditation piece in the background.
DOWNLOAD THIS FREE POSITIVE THOUGHTS TEAR AWAY POSTER
I designed this free ‘positive thoughts’ tear away poster in hopes that it will help someone get their dose of mental vitamins when needed. All you need to do is download it, print it and cut where the dotted lines are. Post it up on your board or on your wall and tear away whenever you need it.
FOLLOW THESE ACCOUNTS TO GET A DOSE OF THEIR POSITIVE THOUGHTS
If there’s someone in your newsfeed on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram who doesn’t bring you joy and only triggers negative feelings from you, you have the option to un-follow them. Follow accounts that send you good vibes and make you feel good about yourself. Follow accounts that you can relate to and also inspire you to be the best version of yourself.
@positivelypresent
@anxiety_wellbeing
@findyourshinetherapy
@dlcanxietysupport
@sasa_elebea
@thelatestkate
@gemmacorrell
@positiveminds11
WALK
If you’re feeling too fragile to go to the gym to workout, put on your earphones, find your favourite playlist and go for a walk. Fresh air will help reduce your anxiety.
TALK
If you have a therapist, schedule an appointment. Talk it out. If you don’t, reach out to your most encouraging friend or family member. Sometimes all we need is to hear that everything’s going to be all right.
I’ve compiled a number of positive thoughts I found online here. I hope it’ll help uplift your spirit.
“I am not weak for having anxiety. Everyone experiences anxiety”
“The mind is everything. What you think you become.”
Buddha
“The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don’t have any.”
Alice Walker
“If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door.”
Milton Berle
“We are responsible for what we are, and whatever we wish ourselves to be, we have the power to make ourselves.”
Swami Vivekananda
“Choosing to be positive and having a grateful attitude is going to determine how you’re going to live your life.”
Joel Osteen
“Positive thinking can be contagious. Being surrounded by winners helps you develop into a winner.”
Arnold Schwarzenegger
“People have a hard time letting go of their suffering. Out of a fear of the unknown, they prefer suffering that is familiar.”
Thich Nhat Hanh
“If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always got.”
Steven Hayes
“People tend to dwell more on negative things than on good things. So the mind then becomes obsessed with negative things, with judgments, guilt and anxiety produced by thoughts about the future and so on.”
Eckhart Tolle
Do you suffer from anxiety? How do you motivate yourself when you’re having bad days?
Do you have favourite positive mantras you repeat to yourself? Feel free to share in the comments below.
You have created a wonderful and much needed post. Thank you for all the great ideas…some that I already use and some that I plan on putting into action.
As someone with anxiety, I can attest that this is such a great way to take an anxiety attack and turn it around! Great read 🙂