This is a contributor post. Learn more about the contributor and their story below.Everyone has a mantra, whether they’re aware of it or not. Sometimes your inherent mantras come through in times of stress and trepidation or when you’re feeling grounded and content.
A mantra is what you tell yourself to get through challenging moments.
Mantras attract specific energy—good and bad—both from within you and from the world at large. In fact, medical professionals and university researchers have scientifically proven mantra meditation to improve awareness, attention, and one’s ability to cope with stress. Adopting one or even several mantras can significantly help you on your journey towards self-improvement.
This particular positive affirmation is especially well-suited for anyone who wants to better themselves.
By acknowledging your knowledge, talent, and skills, you’re reminding yourself that you’re exactly where you need to be right now. And by immediately following up with a reminder of humility, you’re actively avoiding hubris. This mantra can help you land that dream job, finish that degree, master that instrument, or scale that mountain – without letting pride trip you up along the way.
This mantra is a reminder to take things one day at a time.
It means taking problems and obstacles as they come, instead of worrying and ruminating about what the future might bring. While it’s good to be aware of what you can expect from the future, this knowledge shouldn’t cripple your focus. By acknowledging that every day is a new beginning, you can start the day with a mindset that aims to make a difference. This can help you maintain focus and make the most out of your waking hours.
See the world for what it truly is: a dangerous and unforgiving place filled with contradictions. At the same time, have the courage and perseverance to accept these conditions and move forward however you can.
This particular gem comes from Italian anti-fascist intellectual Antonio Gramsci, who’s finally getting a street in Italy named after him, 84 years after his death. This mantra was born from the epic historical struggle against fascism in Europe in the 20th century. It is a reminder to see the real world for how challenging it truly is before you press on and do your best to adapt.
Repeating and even meditating upon mantras can give you the right mindset for improvement.
There are many ways to add mantras to your daily life. Simply repeating your mantra before you begin your morning exercises or routine can help start the day with a jolt of motivation. You can also try saying your mantra before and after your nightly meditation, which can help with sleep. Furthermore, any helpful holistic practice can also be leveraged alongside mantras.Prepare a mantra for your next acupuncture, chiropractor, or massage session. It can be any of the aforementioned mantras or anything that feels right for the situation, such as a mantra about self-care or self-worth.
While mantras condition the mind for change, holistic self-care practices can ensure that your body is ready for life-changing enhancements. Apart from these practices, this includes changing your immediate environment to suit your goals.
From redecorating to achieve the right energy to having the equipment you need to do your best work at home, your environment can greatly affect the efficacy of mantras and self-care practices.
In your work area, try using ergonomic equipment such as a lumbar support chair or a standing desk can give your body the flexibility and balance needed for focused self-improvement. You can also use an exercise bike to take active breaks from work while repeating your mantra.
By creating an environment that’s conducive to change, any mantra or self-care practice can be enhanced. Utilizing mantras alongside other holistic care practices can streamline your path towards self-improvement and positive change.
As you start taking active steps to change your life, it’s important to get out of your own way. Combining mantras and holistic care practices can result in what may feel like rapid life changes that can be intimidating.
But no matter how daunted you might be at the impending changes to your life, remember that even positive shifts can prove to be difficult. Use your mantras to stay in the present moment and maintain a positive outlook for the future.