47 Positive Affirmations for Anxiety + Printables

Affirmations for anxiety are a research-backed tool to reduce stress and increase calm in your life. By purposefully replacing negative thoughts with positive thoughts, you’re likely to be able to reduce the amount of worry in your life.

Worry can be reduced by “thought replacement” according to a 2016 study. 

What is thought replacement?

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is one example. It’s the practice of identifying specific negative beliefs or “stories” you tell yourself, and finding suitable positive replacements for each.

Affirmations are perhaps a more easily accessible example. Affirmations for anxiety are positive thoughts that you repeat to yourself in order to bring calm to your life. The more you can displace negative thoughts and increase positive thoughts, the less anxiety you are likely to have.

Affirmations for anxiety

1. I choose to feel calm.
2. I’m equipped to tackle this challenge. 
3. When I feel difficult feelings, I allow myself to explore them.
4. I notice my triggers and stay conscious of them. 
5. Everything is always changing. This too will change.
6. I choose to focus on the present moment. 
7. I am safe.
8. I am in control.
9. I can do this. 
10. The feeling I’m experiencing will pass.
11. I am strong.
12. I know I am okay.
13. I feel light. I feel calm. 
14. Peaceful energy surrounds me.
15. I am grateful for the sense of calm that surrounds me.
16. I give myself permission to relax and let go of stress.

17. When I feel tension, that is my cue to remind myself to let go.
18. I am competent. 
19. What I’m going through is temporary.
20. When I breathe, I feel peace.
21. I release myself from feeling self-judgment.
22. I’ll be okay. 
23. I am safe. My emotions are activated, but I am not in danger.
24. A happy life is within my grasp. I have everything I need right now.
25. It’s possible for me to rid myself of stress.
26. If I feel anxious, my expectations of myself may be unreasonable.
27. Tension is my reminder to be gentler with myself.
28. I’m relaxing my entire body, starting with my jaws, shoulders, and forehead.
29. My world is full of peace.
30. I am inviting calm into my life.
31. I give myself permission to feel any feelings that arise.
32. As I watch my feelings, I notice my anxiety lessening.
33. When the world feels chaotic, I focus on my breathing.
34. I choose to explore why I am feeling this way.
35. I’m doing the best I can with the tools I have. 
36. Within my body, I feel safe.
37. I feel compassion for myself.
38. I am cool and collected.

39. There is an aura of peacefulness around me that no one can disturb.
40. When I feel anxious, I remind myself to move one step at a time.
41. That tight feeling in my chest can dissipate if I focus on my breath.
42. When I’m anxious, I see the world through a filter. Breathe. Come back to reality.
43. All feelings are okay.
44. Life is simple. Breathe, release tension, and return calmer.
45. I know when to talk about my anxiety with others.
46. I am worthy of peace and calm.
47. Only I am responsible for my own sense of calm. No one else.

Further Inspiration

For more inspiration around managing anxiety and stress, see the following articles:

• Reducing Stress At Work with Mindful Mondays
• 65 Mindfulness Affirmations for Peace & Calm
• How to Stop Overthinking At Night