Brighterdays4you’s Weblog

What are mantras you ask?  Mantras are simply words or phrases that we repeat over and over to ourselves while breathing deeply in and out.  The beauty of mantras is that they address both depression and anxiety concerns.  Often both depression and anxiety go hand in hand.  If one has one then the other is there as well.

To do a mantra effectively, get into a relaxed position as you would for a relaxation exercise.  Start with some deep breaths and then repeat a word or a phrase to yourself that has meaning to you.  Some examples are:

• I am loved.
• I am lovable.
• I am at peace.
• I am cared for.
• Love
• Peace
• I am strong.
• I have strength.
• I am full of peace.  (Even if you don’t believe it.)

Use what works for you.  Do this for about 10-15 minutes everyday and you will start to notice a difference in how you feel about yourself and how you react to others.  You will find not only that you feel more peaceful and better about yourself, but also less anxious and less irritable.  If 10 or 16 minutes seem too much for you, try 5 or try it with your eyes open while you are driving or stopped at a stop light.  Try to catch moments through the day when you have a chance to take a deep breath.  Try something like this:  when breathing in, say to yourself, “I breathe in love.” and when breathing out say, “I breathe out peace.”