If you had asked me a little over a year ago I would have told you that I thought mantras were bullsh*t. But then the past year happened and now I’m a convert. In particular there’s one mantra that calms my mind…
Over the past year I’ve dealt with anxiety and depression (hello toxic work environment, working after a loss, and leaving my job) – I’ve slowly dragged myself (with help) out of those depths. One of the things I found that helped force my mind on other things was finding a mantra that actually worked. Sure you can google “mantras” and find hundreds that are catchy and zen. But it wasn’t until I found one that meant something to me that the mantra repetition worked.
It was a combination of what the words meant, how I felt when I said them, and the repetition with which I forced my mind to say them that really helped me.
When I had to use the mantra was mostly at night when my brain had nothing to do but think and spiral. I would usually end up in tears and would force myself to scream the mantra in my head (it slowly quieted down) until it was all I could concentrate on. At first it felt like cheating, I felt as if I wasn’t dealing with the issues or feelings and that I was just covering up what was wrong. I felt like I was putting a band-aid on a broken limb.
With time and help it got easier and I dealt with the broken limb but still used the band-aid to help when I needed it.
Once I was able to separate the use of the mantra from the pain I was using it to quiet I was able to start using the mantra in other areas of my life. I started using it at work when I was getting overwhelmed or my brain started to function like an internet browser with 138662084702 tabs open.
Simply put, this mantra calms my mind. Have I teased it enough? Here it is:
“do not go in your mind where your body is not”
One of the reasons this mantra worked for me was because it wasn’t positive. It was kind of a reprimand instead of a happy go lucky sunshine and roses mantra/affirmation. I’m not exactly a glass half full type of person so a positive mantra wasn’t going to cut it for me. This was a rebuke and made me pull my mind back as I focused on the words.
Finding a mantra that calms your mind is just as much about the words as it is about the repetition. Even if you’re suspicious about mantras (hello 2018 me) I suggest finding one to have in your back pocket and try it out. When your mind is racing and your stress levels are rising try repeating one for a few moments. Focus on the words, the sentiment, and the repetition.
Here are a few that you might like:
Release all worry and celebrate what could go right
There are no wrong decisions because I learn from every choice
I have enough, I do enough, I am enough
I have control over my thoughts, feelings, and actions
Success comes with consistency
Do you use a mantra? What is it?
