Need a boost to give your healthy lifestyle the kick in the proverbial pants it needs? Try a motivational mantra. Mantras have been historically linked to Hinduism and Buddhism using a sound or phrase to aid in meditation practices. Just as the Western face of yoga has changed from its 5,000 year old Indian roots (beer yoga, anyone?), following suit, mantras too have been modernized.
Today, mantras go beyond a vehicle to transport you into a deeper state of zen to include a more mainstream way of setting intentions. Mantras, or the repetitions of a statement, can be used to stay present when your mind keeps wandering, feel empowered when your confidence needs a lift, let go when you are grieving, or find strength when the world is too heavy a burden.
And when you just can’t take a break from the Netflix binge to move off the couch and exercise, that’s where motivational mantras go to work.
How Do Motivational Mantras Help
Maybe mantras feel a little too “new age” or hippy dippy for you; and that’s OK. The good news is you don’t need to be an incense-burning, Phish-loving, dread-wearing yogi (but props to you if you are!) to benefit from motivational mantras. In fact, skip the word “mantra” for the moment and think of it simply as positive thinking.
Studies have shown positive thinking can change your life–both physically and mentally. Turn on the optimism and you’re less likely to die from major culprits such as heart disease, stroke, or cancer, according to 2017 study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology. Additionally, other research has shown the less of a negative Nelly you are, the better you are able to relate with other people, learn new skills, and simply handle stress in less burdensome ways.
10 Motivational Mantras to Get You Moving
You might be thinking: “How can repeating a phrase over and over again help me?” Consider for a moment the thoughts that already run through your head that stop you from working out: “I’m too tired,” “I’m not good at it,” “I don’t have time,” “I’ll always be fat, so what’s the point.” If these types of negative phrases are already on auto-repeat, just look to your body and health to see the effects it has had.
Imagine what could happen if you flipped the switch from the negative to the positive. With practice, motivational mantras can help you feel energized, empowered, and ready to make big changes in your life because you deserve them.
Ready to feel that kind of power? Here are 10 motivational mantras to help rewrite your mental script and light a fire to get you to where you want to be.
- Every journey starts somewhere.
- Just breathe.
- The only bad workout is the one I didn’t do.
- I get what I work for, not what I wish for.
- I will get there if I don’t quit.
- Grow through what you go through.
- A strong body starts with a strong mind.
- Perfection is not the goal.
- It’s time to invest in myself.
- Outside my comfort zone is where the magic happens.
Write Your Own Motivational Mantras
Can’t relate to the sample of motivational mantras provided? Create your own! Base it on your goals or the IRL struggles that trip you up most often. Feeling stuck? Reverse a negative phrase already on mental repeat and make it into something positive. When the ugly words creep in (as they will), flip the phrase on its head to benefit from something more motivational instead.
Do you have a motivational mantra? Share it with others in the comments!
Carrie Anton is a freelance writer focusing on health, fitness, and sports. She's been published in Self, Women's Health, Oxygen, and Maximum Fitness.
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