If today was one of those days, I know it’s tempting to check out and binge-watch your favorite reality show. But on a stressful day, it might be more beneficial to take time to reset. Before taking a breather, invest in yourself by repeating affirmations to build yourself up


Affirmations are positive statements you can tell yourself to motivate, ground, challenge, and help you reach your fullest potential. A few positive and encouraging affirmations can build you up. Repeating few words for a few moments in your day can make a world of difference.

Here are 17 affirmations for a stressful day. 

“I am allowed to rest as I navigate through a stressful day.”

This affrimation is a reminder that it’s healthy and good to press pause after a stressful day, week, or month. Rest is vital. 

“I appreciate my incremental progress and the steps I’ve taken today.”

You may not have “arrived” yet, but you have taken baby steps forward. Acknowledge and celebrate your progress.

“I am capable, intelligent, and able, and I’m doing my best.”

This affirmation reminds you of your value. Even on the hard days, you are doing your best.

“I find peace in knowing that I don’t have to have everything figured out.”

This is a reminder that you do not have to be perfect, nor have it all together. 

“I am learning to check-in with myself and be more aware of my needs.”

This affirmation emphasizes the importance of pausing and assessing how you’re feeling physically, emotionally, and mentally. 

“Learning is a journey, and I am taking it one step at a time.”

By reminding yourself that life is a staircase and that you will have to take it step-by-step, you are learning to treat yourself with kindness and patience.

“I will navigate this day with grace.”

Encouraging affirmations like this remind you to proceed kindly and graciously with yourself and others on difficult days.

“I am learning to breathe, rest, and create space for myself.” 

Emphasizing that there is time to disconnect and recharge, this affirmation reminds you to make space to feel and proccess your emotions, and breathe.

“I approach each challenge as an opportunity to grow.”

This affirmation encourages us to approach difficult situations with courage and to take lessons and wisdom from adversity.

“I show gratitude for myself in today’s ups and downs.”

Expressing gratitude for how far your body, mind, and soul have carried you through life, this affirmation allows you to take time to show appreciation for yourself. 

“I recognize the value in both my work and my rest.”

There must be a balance between work and rest. This affirmation encourages you to draw a line between the two and to value your need for rest in life’s hustle. 

“I am resilient and able to bounce back from life’s setbacks.”

By celebrating your bounce back ability, you remind yourself that you have the strength, courage, and wisdom to keep moving forward. 

“There’s value in knowing and establishing my boundaries.”

This affirmation is a reminder that no is a complete sentence and that setting boundaries is a part of loving and valuing yourself. 

“I do not have to do it all, and I don’t have to have it all figured out. I am free to pause, reflect, and recharge.”

A reminder that it’s OK not to know whats ahead or have it all together, this affirmation encourages you to take the pressure off your shoulders of having to do it all.

“I will listen to my needs and conserve my emotional energy.”

This affirmation reminds us to set boundaries and protect our emotional energy from toxic situations and people. 

“It’s OK that I am feeling low. I can adapt and pivot.”

A reminder that a part of our humanity is having ups and downs, this affirmation teaches us to have grace in the lows and reminds us it’s OK to change course to remedy a situation.

“Tomorrow is a new day. I can begin anew.”

This affirmation is a reminder that you can always begin again.