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Depression is tricky. It can sneak up on us and embed itself into our lives without us even realizing it.
As a result, we lose interest in what we once enjoyed and start feeling hopeless or sad. This makes it even more challenging to stay positive when we face new challenges.
Fortunately, there are tools you can use to overcome depression. For example, affirmations for depression can help you feel better and influence your mind with the power of positive thinking.
What Are Positive Affirmations?
Positive affirmations are short statements that emphasize your values, strengths, and optimism. According to modern cognitive theory, depression is triggered by negative beliefs that distort your perception of yourself and the world.
Positive affirmations can be used to oppose negative ideas and encourage confidence in your abilities and optimism about your future.
They are a helpful tool that can help with depressive symptoms by inspiring you to take steps towards recovery. Reciting affirmations is a bit like giving yourself a pep talk. They’re easy to use, and anyone can do it.
How Do Affirmations Work?
Your subconscious mind drives your behavior. Its function is to ensure your actions reflect the information stored in your mind.
Reciting positive affirmations regularly makes them more believable. Your subconscious mind is unable to tell whether what you say is true or not. When you believe it, your subconscious mind will align your behavior accordingly.
For example, the more you tell yourself how confident and capable you are, the more you’ll start to feel that way, and it will show in your actions. The phrase “fake it ‘til you make it” is essentially how positive affirmations work.
Why Affirmations Are Important for Depression
Depressive symptoms can feel like a dark place that seems impossible to get out of.
It can be hard to see yourself as a worthy person. However, without healthy coping mechanisms, these negative thoughts and feelings can cause long-term damage to your mental, emotional, and even physical health.
The good news is that you’re not helpless. There are things you can do to replace those feelings with positivity, motivation, and optimism.
A daily affirmation routine can build your confidence and improve your quality of life. Positive affirmations for depression can even lead you to a breakthrough.
The Benefits of Affirmations for Depression
Here are a few reasons to start incorporating positive affirmations for depression into your routine:
By focusing your thoughts on something that benefits you, how you view reality will start to mirror those thoughts.
Whether it’s you or someone you love who struggles with depression, these 67 examples of positive affirmations will help break the cycle of negative thinking:
107 Affirmations for Depression
- In life, nothing is permanent.
- I trust my journey.
- I love and approve of myself.
- Thoughts can be changed.
- I am blessed to see today. Every day is a gift.
- I am a work in progress.
- I will watch while my life unfolds perfectly for me.
- I deserve happiness, joy, and love.
- I can forgive myself and everyone else for not being perfect.
- I am proud that I have come so far.
- I work hard to make my life better.
- Depression builds my resilience.
- I deserve to be loved and happy.
- I work every day to design a bright future.
- This, too, will pass.
- When I am feeling depressed, I show myself kindness and forgiveness.
- Depression is only a tiny part of my life and who I am.
- No feeling lasts forever.
- I love myself unconditionally, especially on the days I find it hard to.
- I get closer to feeling better with every breath I take.
- The world has more good in it than bad.
- Life is worth living despite my pain and sadness.
- I am strong and can overcome any obstacle in my life.
- I deserve to be successful.
- One day, everything will be okay.
- I am not my emotions or my thoughts.
- I am doing a lot better than I thought I would.
- I deserve happiness.
- I can do difficult things.
- I can create my own destiny.
- I am strong and can overcome anything in life.
- I am healing.
- I am in full control of my life.
- I will let other people into my life.
- I can decide how much or little I want to do each day.
- I deserve rest when I need it.
- With every breath, I get closer to feeling better.
- I am not selfish because I do what I need to do to feel better.
- I am proud of all the hard days I have survived.
- I can let go of things I can’t control.
- I am holding a finger up to depression.
- Depression does not have control over me.
- I am worthy of getting help and support.
- I focus on ways I can help myself get better.
- The universe wants what’s best for me.
- I can help others.
- I can choose to be positive.
- I belong in this world.
- I am enough. I don’t need to be perfect.
- I trust myself to make the right decisions.
- I am here because I’m meant to be.
- Feelings of happiness come naturally to me.
- I accept the love and support I am surrounded with.
- I am at peace with imperfection.
- I am worthy of peace and tranquility.
- I am needed regardless of how worthy I feel.
- This darkness won’t last forever.
- I welcome every positive change.
- I don’t need to be productive to see value in myself.
- I will wake up tomorrow and do the best I can.
- Smile and breathe.
- If they can do it, there’s no reason I can’t.
- There are many different ways I can help myself with depression.
- All is good in my world, and everything is working out for the best.
- The present moment is where the power is.
- I have faith in myself.
- My past has helped me to become the person I am today.
- I have peace in knowing God is directing my life.
- Fulfillment is on the other side of this.
- I am no longer depressed and distressed.
- My circumstances don’t control my mood.
- Every day, I am closer to my heart's desires.
- My resolve is stronger, and I'm more determined than ever to be happy.
- My worth is not based on other’s opinions of me.
- Good things happen to and for me.
- I am worthy. I will stop sabotaging my own dreams.
- I will begin to live with confidence.
- I am beginning to discover my value.
- Every day, I'm learning more and more about how to love myself and others.
- I’m realizing just how much I matter.
- I will no longer continue to be at war with myself.
- I never felt qualified, beautiful, or blessed until now.
- I’m gaining the courage and confidence to go after my dreams.
- I now walk into the room and realize I belong there.
- I will embrace what makes me different.
- I will make history and enjoy my life. I am even learning how to rest.
- My life is noteworthy, full of joy and accomplishment.
- I spread joy and not sadness everywhere I go.
- I will no longer allow the words of others to stop my journey.
- I could no longer face who I was, but I can now.
- I enhance every environment I’m a part of.
- People enjoy talking to me. I don't bring them down with negativity but lift them up with encouragement.
- People judge me outwardly, but it’s the goodness of my heart that makes me awesome.
- I love what I see in the mirror more than ever.
- My tension and anxiety have decreased.
- I am comfortable in my own skin now.
- Just because they're cold-blooded doesn't mean I can't be hot.
- I’m not everyone’s cup of tea, and I accept that.
- Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and I am grateful for the beauty I see in me and others.
- I'm an acquired taste. Not everyone has the ability to see my value.
- I am worthy of respect, admiration, and sincere appreciation.
- I don’t give up as quickly as I used to.
- I am only meant to be me.
- I'm not too old; I have more to offer.
- Not everyone is out to hurt me; I will open up and give others a chance.
- I no longer believe I’m worthless.
- Every day, I find strength and wake up with purpose.
How to Use Affirmations for Depression
It’s essential to make time to repeat your affirmations at least once a day.
First thing in the morning, before your mind is bombarded with different thoughts, is the best time to soak up your statements. Another good time is just before you settle down to sleep at night. It can be a pleasant way to end your day.
You can make it a part of your evening routine. To learn more, watch this video about the evening routine habits of the world’s most successful people.
Some people recite them while looking at themselves in a mirror. This can help you connect with what you’re saying. Others recite them in the shower, on their way to work, etc.
You can use them anytime and anywhere you feel comfortable. Making them a part of your daily routine ensures that they become ingrained in your subconscious mind and eventually become your reality.
How to Write Your Own Affirmations
Our list of affirmations is a great place to start and gives you an idea of how they should look, but you can also create your own personalized statements. Here are some pointers on how to write powerful affirmations:
- First, include your name in the affirmation.
- Next, to reinforce them, include a feeling, e.g., “I feel,” “I enjoy.”
- Finally, make them personal to your experiences so you can relate to them in a meaningful way.
- Make them confident. For example, “I can let go of things I can’t control,” instead of “I’ll try to let go of things I can’t control.”
- Write them in the present tense to trick your subconscious mind into bringing them into your reality. For example, “I can do difficult things” instead of “I could do difficult things.”
As a side note, when you physically write them, you’ll feel connected with them as your brain mentally engages with what you write. This doesn’t happen the same way with typing.
Final Thoughts on Affirmations for Depression
Practicing daily affirmations will help you climb out of your negative mindset. Empowering statements allow you to embody and believe in what you want, and your subconscious mind works to make it happen.
You can recite them at any time: as soon as you wake up or just before you settle at night. Feed your brain positive affirmations to manage your depression symptoms and move forward with your life.
And if you want more encouraging affirmations, be sure to check out these blog posts:
- 49 Positive Morning Affirmations to Start Your Day
- 75 Healing Affirmations for Your Mind, Body, and Soul
- 75 Self-Love Affirmations to Find More Acceptance in Life
Finally, if you want a simple tool to record and recite these affirmations, then check out these 13 affirmations apps that help you create a positive mindset.
