By Hawa Sow
Managing mental health challenges can feel incredibly overwhelming, especially for college students. With schoolwork, jobs and a plethora of other responsibilities, maintaining a sense of calm can feel hopeless. While there are professional counseling tools that exist for students to utilize, these options may not always seem feasible when viewed through a financial lens. Thankfully, there are other ways to boost mental health that eliminate financial strife. Whether you have an upcoming exam, are dealing with toxic relationships or are just simply having a bad day, repeating positive affirmations to yourself can proceed huge impact on your mental health.
First off, you are NOT alone
According to the American Psychological Association, a nationwide study conducted between 2020 and 2021 found that of 373 college campuses surveyed, more than 60% of college students met the criteria for at least one mental health problem. In addition, another national survey found that almost three quarters of students reported moderate or severe psychological stress. Furthermore, if you have felt that you are mentally struggling, you are not alone. There are a multitude of students throughout the nation who are also experiencing mental health issues and are seeking practical solutions.
What makes positive affirmations beneficial?
While positive affirmations are by no means a revolutionary cure to mental health issues, these simplistic phrases pack a powerful punch, and can provide a sense of comfort to those who are struggling. Positive affirmations can be defined as brief, powerful statements to turn negative thoughts into more positive ones. Juliana McBride Haigh, an associate marriage and family therapist based in Sierra Madre, California tells Psychology Central that positive affirmations serve as “an opportunity to remind yourself that you have strengths, characteristics and power, regardless of what negative thoughts may be telling you.” One of the key characteristics of positive affirmations is their ability to be used at any point in the day. So, in those frail moments of stress when you feel anxiety creeping up on you, positive affirmations can ground you, and help to maintain a sense of peace and relaxation.
Positive affirmations can bring you into a safe space
Positive affirmations serve to shift your thinking and aid you in reaching a healthier and happier state during moments of distress. If you are struggling with mental health and need a reminder of your inner strength and resilience, repeating a positive affirmation to yourself can bring you back into a region of tranquility.
Here are 10 positive affirmations to repeat to yourself on a bad mental health day:
- I am the only thing in life I can control.
- I have a purpose in this life and am a gift to this world.
- I am strong enough to handle anything that comes my way.
- I am driven and will work hard to succeed my goals.
- I am confident in my abilities and will work hard to achieve my goals.
- Today, I will possess the courage to take up space.
- I am worthy of love and respect.
- I am capable of anything I set my mind to.
- Today, I will be the best version of myself.
- I am deeply, deeply loved.