Managing PTSD is a challenge for millions of people. PTSD can cause severe stress and anxiety and interfere with everyday work, family life, and social relationships. However, positive affirmations for PTSD can help people deal with their symptoms and improve their happiness and enjoyment in life.
Why Affirmations for PTSD are Important
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) affects 6% of Americans at some point in their lifetimes, and 12 million Americans are dealing with PTSD in any given year. Typical symptoms of PTSD include:
Over time, many people with PTSD experience low moods, including negative thoughts about themselves or others, hopelessness, detachment, depression or emotional numbness, and apathy.
If PTSD affects your ability to function or enjoy daily life and symptoms persist for longer than a month, contact a medical or mental health professional for help.
In most cases, the strong negative feelings and thoughts associated with PTSD naturally ease over time. However, positive affirmations for PTSD can help reduce the worst symptoms and more effectively manage the disorder.
101 Positive Affirmations for People Dealing with PTSD
- I deserve love
- I am safe and protected
- I am stronger than the trauma that has happened to me
- I make good decisions
- I surround myself with gentleness
- I will never give up on myself
- I am building my best life
- I am strong enough to survive and thrive
- I nurture the deepest wishes of my heart
- I am not defined by a single event
- I accept myself without criticism
- I have choices
- I give myself time to grieve
- I have hope
- I am worthy of every good thing
- I am a survivor
- I face my fears
- I am kind to myself
- I take things one day at a time
- I breathe out anxiety and breathe in peace
- I believe in myself
- I will do what I need to do to recover
- I give myself permission to heal
- I have as much time as I need to heal
- I am reclaiming my life
- I am allowed to make mistakes
- I am worthy of every good thing
- My struggle will be rewarded with health and happiness
- I make my life better day by day
- I choose health
- I am proud of myself
- I am not alone
- I recognize and accept all my emotions
- I ask for help when I need it
- I am grateful for the supportive people in my life
- I am thankful for this healing time
- I believe in my future
- I am able to keep myself safe
- As I change my thoughts, I change my life
- I will not give up
- Sometimes I am not OK, but those times always pass
- My life matters
- I give myself permission to feel all my emotions
- I deserve healing
- I am finding my own inner power
- I welcome trustworthy people in my life
- I trust that I am on the right path
- Each new day is a gift
- I own my own story
- I believe everything will work out for me
I believe everything will work out for me”
- I have a valuable place in the world
- I decide for myself how to live my life
- I am growing in self-love and self-respect
- I am a good person
- I accept this challenge
- I believe in my future
- I feel a bit better every day
- I learn from my mistakes
- It is safe to be myself
- My life is moving into the light
- My future is bright
- I am determined to heal and thrive
- I am free of guilt
- I am bigger than my PTSD
- I work hard to heal and move forward in my life
- I choose to be who I am
- I am thankful for my body
- I am thankful for my mind
- I see myself as peaceful and whole
- I choose to transform my life
- I make peace with my past
- I focus on what I can control
- I rely on my inner wisdom to keep me on track
- I make positive changes in my life
- I cherish connections with people I trust
- I release fear and accept love
- I am exactly where I am meant to be
- I am resilient
- I am glad that I exist
- I easily handle all the difficulties I face
- Each breath I take fills me with peace
- My peace of mind grows and grows
- I give myself kindness and compassion
- I am aware of all the good things in my life
- I accept my mistakes with compassion and humor
- My needs and wants are important
- My perfect future is growing from this moment
- I receive every breath as a gift
- I let go of all negative thoughts and feelings
- I can make changes in my life
- I think in healthy and productive ways
- My life is continually changing for the better
- I choose how to think about my life
- I am calmer when I think positively
- I give myself time to learn and heal
- I improve my life by changing my thoughts
- I recognize and accept my anger
- Taking care of myself is powerful
- I am in charge of my own healing
- I deserve and welcome support as I heal
- I am excited about my happy future
How to Use Affirmations for PTSD
There are two essential ways to use positive affirmations for PTSD:
To Manage Immediate, Severe Symptoms
For example, when you have a flashback, nightmare, panic attack, or other overwhelming emotions related to your PTSD, here is how to use affirmations to manage the moment of stress and anxiety:
Get Away to Somewhere Quiet, Preferably in Nature
It can be beneficial to take a moment in a park, yard, or garden. If that isn’t possible, take a few moments alone in the bathroom, bedroom, office, or car. Choose a place where you feel safe and aren’t under immediate pressure.
Breathe Deeply
Breathing deeply is a great way to calm your heart and mind. You may want to use an app to help calm and control your breath.
Repeat Your Favorite PTSD Affirmation(S) Aloud
Repeating your affirmations out loud has a powerful effect on both your conscious and unconscious minds. While repeating your affirmation(s), visualize and embrace how they make you feel
Focus on the Here and Now
Pay attention to everything you sense in the moment. Listen carefully and identify all the sounds you can hear. Note any smells in your environment. Feel the sensation of temperature, air movement, or clothing against your skin.
Grounding yourself in the here and now, focusing your mind on your breath and your affirmations will help you calm yourself so you can return to regular activity.
To Deal With The Ongoing Effects Of PTSD
Establish a daily routine that helps you feel calm and connected and reduces the stress and symptoms of PTSD. Some of the daily activities you might choose:
Take Care of Yourself
Try to get healthy sleep, nutrition, and physical activity every day. Poor physical health worsens PTSD, stress, and anxiety symptoms. Instead of thinking of taking care of yourself as a chore, think of it as an expression of self-love and nurturing.
Meditation
Meditation and mindfulness are beneficial for managing PTSD and have many mental health benefits for every aspect of your life.
Write
Keeping a journal where you explore your thoughts and feelings is a powerful way of processing trauma and moving forward with your life. Journaling, as well as creative and expressive writing, help you understand and appreciate yourself more.
Change Your Mindset
Use positive affirmations daily to improve your mood, dispel negative thoughts and energy, and keep you focused on your goals.
Dealing with PTSD is an enormous challenge, and it’s essential to seek help when you need it. There are proven behavioral techniques and strategies that can help you put your past in perspective and look forward to the bright future ahead.
Final Thoughts on Affirmations for People Dealing with PTSD
There are many ways to use affirmations for PTSD to transform your thinking and recover from trauma. Remember that you are not defined by your trauma and can chart your own course into the future.
And if you want more encouraging affirmations, be sure to check out these blog posts:
- 73 Positive Affirmations for Anxiety Relief and Stress Reduction
- 75 Self-Love Affirmations to Find More Acceptance in Life
- 71 Body Positive Affirmations to Feel Your Best
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.
