40 Positive Affirmations to Add to Your Daily Rotation
"Nothing can dim the light that shines from within."
There’s value in patting yourself (and your friends) on the back. Positive affirmations are short statements that can help brighten your outlook on the world when you say them to yourself regularly—like every morning when you first wake up—or write them down in a journal before you go to sleep each night.
While affirmations are no substitute for professional help (such as therapy) when you're experiencing anxiety or depression, those who swear by the power of uplifting language do find that daily affirmations increase their self-esteem and improves their mental wellness overall. In short: If you're looking to form better mental health habits, this is a great—and free—place to start.
What's more, positive affirmations may help boost your overall health, too. Studies support the idea that the words we choose matter: Powerful short quotes—or mantras, if you will—can help you combat stress and increase the neural pathways in your brain. Other research suggests that saying or writing them down may foster a deeper sense of belonging in school for students, leading to improved grades. Really, everyone from kids and teens to men and women can benefit.
And while you can certainly dream up your own uniquely inspiring phrases to say every day, our list of hopeful quotes include the wise words of beloved authors such as Toni Morrison, Elizabeth Gilbert, Maya Angelou, and of course, Oprah. So, before those negative thoughts creep in, consider giving one of these 40 positive affirmations a try.
As the Senior Editor of OprahMag.com, I'm a jack-of-all-trades, overseeing our entertainment coverage (we cover TV shows like The Politician and Big Brother, movies such as J.Lo's Hustlers and Lena Waithe's Queen and Slim), features, news items, and— as her number one fan—all of Lady Gaga's whereabouts. I proudly edit Coming Out, a series where LGBTQ+ change-makers reflect on self-acceptance. And I edit our Weird or Wellness series, which I highly recommend you read on the weekend. Prior to O, I began my career in the fashion department at Marie Claire, and eventually moved on to InStyle, where I dabbled in social media and covered events such as the Grammys, Toronto International Film Festival, and New York Fashion Week. A native of Miami, I received my journalism degree from the University of Miami. One time, Rosario Dawson complimented my hair and asked to touch it. I let her.
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