The Mood-Boosting Mantras Wellness Pros Swear by to Banish Stress and Anxiety

Positive thinking is powerful stuff: It can keep you calm, reduce your stress hormone (cortisol)—and even make your workouts more effective. (Seriously.) Happy thoughts can also help develop your prefrontal cortex—AKA the area of your brain that supports creativity. Sounds heady, but the practice itself could be as simple as reciting a mantra or affirmation.

There are ancient ones such as "sat nam" ("truth identified"), which Kundalini yogis (like self-help guru and Well+Good Council member Gabrielle Bernstein) swear by. Or more modern options like, IDK, #iamwellandgood. It's all about finding what works for you. And one of the best ways to do this is by hearing the sayings others find helpful.

Looking for some inspo? Scroll down to see the mantras 9 of our other Well+Good Council members turn to when they want to put positive self-talk into practice.

A post shared by Kimberly Snyder (@_kimberlysnyder) on Jul 14, 2017 at 2:01pm PDT

Kimberly Snyder, CN, celebrity nutritionist

I am enough and whole just as I am!

A post shared by McKel Hill MS, RDN, Dietitian (@nutritionstripped) on Mar 9, 2017 at 6:53am PST

McKel Hill, RDN, founder of Nutrition Stripped

I show up fully for myself so I can serve and show up fully for others.

A post shared by Candice Kumai (@candicekumai) on Sep 20, 2017 at 6:31am PDT

Candice Kumai, rockstar healthy chef

"Ki o tsukete" ("Take great care.") It's a salutation we use in Japanese culture. And we only use this term with sincerity.

A post shared by L I L A D A R V I L L E (@lovinglila) on Feb 29, 2016 at 5:04am PST

Lila Darville, sex expert and relationship coach

Our deepest fear is not that we're inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we're powerful beyond measure.

A post shared by ROBIN BERZIN MD (@robinberzinmd) on Aug 12, 2017 at 12:30pm PDT

Robin Berzin, MD, functional medicine doctor

I already have everything I need.

A post shared by Elle Macpherson (@ellemacphersonofficial) on Apr 29, 2015 at 4:57am PDT

Elle Macpherson, supermodel and co-founder of WelleCo

Don’t sweat the small stuff.

A post shared by Sophia Ruan Gushée (@sophiagushee) on Jul 27, 2016 at 9:32am PDT

Sophia Gushee, healthy home expert

Let go: Let go of the past, let go of mistakes, let go of regrets, let go of worries of the future, and just invite love into the available spaces.

A post shared by Drew Ramsey, MD (@drewramseymd) on Sep 29, 2017 at 6:32pm PDT

Drew Ramsey, MD, psychiatrist and farmer

Go to sleep. Your best step is your next step.

A post shared by Jill Blakeway (@jillblakeway) on Oct 22, 2016 at 1:24pm PDT

Jill Blakeway, DACM, acupuncturist and women's health expert

I tell myself that "source" runs through me, on a daily basis. Reminding myself of that helps me to stay connected to the intelligence that underpins the universe.

Here's why an a.m. mantra could be the best part of waking up. Plus, 12 morning affirmations you can try right now to kickstart your day.