Healing Mantras for Reducing Stress

Positive affirmations have been shown to reduce stress.  The following six mantras can be a powerful tool to reduce stress.  Take deep breaths as you say the following:

1. All situations are temporary.  Nothing lasts forever.  Although we know this intellectually, too often we can’t recognize it while we’re going through our daily tasks.  Take a step back either by meditating, taking a deep breath or listening to music.  Then remember what your life was a month or a year ago.  Recognize how different it is now and how temporary the stresses of today are.
2. There is no wrong decision.  When you’ve listed all the pros and cons of a decision and you still question which decision to make, know that there really isn’t a wrong decision.  You typically make the best decision that you can with the information that you have at the moment.  If you realize that any decision has positive and negative aspects to it, and that's ok, you’ll feel better about your decisions.  
3. I’ve survived all of the difficult moments of my past.  Think about all of the things you’ve been through in your life.  It’s pretty impressive if you think about it – you’ve been through moves, maybe some deaths, fights, feeling alone – probably a lot of stressful things.  And you’ve survived.  You get stronger when you experience difficult times.  You’re probably much stronger than you give yourself credit.
4. Be still and breath.  Focus on one idea, one task, one moment and find joy in that stillness.  If you like to be in nature, that can help you to be still.  Walk outside and look at the trees, flowers, streams or children playing.  Find something to help you center yourself.
5. I trust the guidance of the universe.  Choose to believe that whatever you’re dealing with is being worked on by something bigger than yourself.  Even if you’re not religious, you can have faith in yourself and believe that where you are is ok.
6. I love myself.  This is a very powerful mantra.  It can be difficult if we are hard on ourselves which so many people are.  Imagine what you would tell your friend who said that they didn’t love themselves.  Treat yourself like you would treat a good friend. 

These mantras are powerful tools that we can incorporate into our day to reduce our stress.  What mantras have you used that are helpful to you?