What is a mantra?

The word Mantra comes from Sanskrit meaning a “sacred message or text, charm, spell, counsel.” The use of mantras has been practiced in Hinduism and Buddhism for centuries as it was considered to hold a spiritual efficacy.

Simply put, a mantra is a short positive saying or affirmation. A mantra is a powerful statement that you can repeat to yourself each day—out loud or internally—to remind yourself of your power, strength, or commitment. Examples of daily mantras could be reminding yourself in a stressful situation that everything will be okay. Long distance runners often use mantras late in the race as a reminder to keep pushing even when they are getting tired.

A mantra will look different for each person. It’s important to remember that your mantra is deeply personal to you and to treat it as your own daily meditation practice.

How can you choose a mantra?

Choosing a daily morning mantra for yourself is an exercise in powerful positive thinking. Scroll through the list of positive affirmations below and select one mantra to tell yourself that resonates most with you. Try leaving your mantra in locations where you can frequently see it—such as on a Post-It note on your mirror, computer, or refrigerator—as a reminder. Allow these sentences to help you get through each day and alleviate stressful situations.

How Can I Make My Mantra More Powerful?

Don’t just simply choose a mantra—really begin to incorporate it into your daily life.

Try this: Each morning or evening schedule a time to journal with your mantra. Could you write about how you will incorporate your mantra into the day? If you are journaling in the evening, write about how your mantra best served you that day or a way in which your mantra helped center you during a stressful situation. Adding this gratitude journaling exercise into your daily wellness routine can be a powerful way to both honor your feelings and create a positive self-care outlet.

40 Daily Morning Mantras