Affirmations are affirming, positive statements that can encourage and boost self-esteem in nurses. They’re a great tool to use anytime, but they can be invaluable as a pick-me-up after a hard day.
Affirmations, or mantras, can reduce stress and improve nurses’ overall moods when they face patient challenges. They can also give nurses the space to center their thoughts on the good moments of their jobs, promoting mindfulness and a sense of ease.
Adopting mantras can be a relaxing, fun way to destress and stay in the present moment. Consider the following tips to introduce mantras into your workplace and why they can improve your mood.
How to Use Affirmations
If using affirmations at work is a new concept to you, you’re not alone. Many nurses start their day in a rush, getting morning coffee right after waking up and driving to work thinking about their day ahead. Sometimes, pausing momentarily and reciting a mantra out loud isn’t a first thought because life feels too busy.
Thankfully, there is no right or wrong way to recite affirmations. It doesn’t have to feel like we’re forcing a belief on ourselves. Some methods of adopting an affirmation can be to say it out loud, write it down, or repeat it in your head when you’re dealing with a difficult situation.
Adopting an affirmation is tailored to how you want to use them. You don’t need a mirror to repeat it. Taking a deep breath and telling yourself, “I am doing enough in this moment” can be enough, even once a day. If you feel like you’re getting the benefit out of your mantra, congratulations, you’ve successfully used an affirmation!
What Affirmations Should I Use?
Here are some nursing-related affirmations you can use at work:
- You play a valuable, critical role and are irreplaceable.
- I will care for my patients to the best of my ability.
- I make a difference in the lives of others.
- I can handle any patient assignment.
- I have survived hard times before.
These are only examples, so feel free to create ones specific to your nursing journey that are right for you. Have a list of mantras that feel good to you so that when one doesn’t work, you can use another that applies to how you feel.
When and Where to Use Affirmations
There are so many creative ways to use affirmations. One common strategy is to have notecards handy with your mantras so that you can flip through them on your break.
You can also write down affirmations on sticky notes and stick them on your desk or somewhere where you’ll see them. Or, you can put an affirmation behind your lanyard so it’s already there when you flip it over.
If you have a pre-shift ritual, consider adding this to your toolbox of self-care before you walk in. Some pre-shift mantras can be “I will focus on what I can control today” or “I am confident in my nursing abilities.”
It’s good to know that the more you repeat an affirmation, the more you believe it. Reciting a self-affirmation can lead to positive changes in the brain that allow us to see our self-worth more clearly.
Acknowledge When Affirmations Have Their Purpose
Affirmations are powerful when we believe them, but they might not feel as effective at other times. Reciting mantras is only one tool to use when stress takes over. Recognize when they’ve served their purpose and move on to another self-care strategy when that mantra is exhausted.
For example, you can say, “I will hold my head up high” when a coworker is bullying or harassing you, but if that coworker is still bothering you, then it may be time to seek support from other nurses. Affirmations can only go so far when we’re in moments of distress.
Pretending that everything is okay when it isn’t is a sign of toxic positivity. Remember to make room for any emotions that come up and give yourself space to rest and relax when you need it.
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