What is Morning Mantra?
In Sanskrit, a mantra is a phrase or word which is repeated to aid concentration in meditation. Mantras are also famed as ritualistic, preternatural, or magical statement that can be used to make things seem right when they’re appearing all wrong.
Humans seek to maintain a positive self-view as well as that of the world, in order to feel calm. We do not enjoy feeling threatened. And yet, the little and big responsibilities we must face every day, seem like colossal dangers which trigger the stress response in our brain, and we’re perpetually on guard; afraid, worried and anxious. We tend to feel threatened by everything that comes our way these days.
I designed this morning mantra as a set of self-affirmations that can reduce your perception of everyday threats. Affirmations are known to benefit intimidating situations by decreasing stress, increasing well-being, improving performance and making people accept change. Self-affirmations support your self-worth, remind you of your core values, and give you a broader view of your own self. This in turn can motivate you to move beyond the individual threats in your life, to a higher awareness of your own integrity and competence.
Why a Mantra for Mornings?
Mornings are interestingly ironic. They wake you from the comfort of slumber, wherein you are disconnected from all accountability. Sleep is your pleasant escape from the worries of existence. And yet, mornings are a harbinger of hope, for a lovely day ahead.
They are a gift, because they give you an additional 24 hours to try and achieve, acquire, accomplish and fulfill everything you want. They are a marvel because unlike many others who did not wake up after they went to bed last night, you did. How important do you think your morning really is?
“The first 7 minutes of waking decide how well your day will go.”
Can You Use This Mantra Without Meaning It?
It is always lovely to mean what you say, and say what you mean. Some affirmations are statements about who you are. Others are predictive assertions of how you will see your day, what you will do and the mindset you’ll hold. Positive as well as negative effects associated with self-affirmation could occur without your explicit awareness.
That is why saying negative things about yourself actually worsens your day. Likewise, positive affirmations make your day better by working at the subconscious as well as conscious level. When you say you will be positive, your mind thinks that way and you behave in synchrony.
Your Morning Rituals
International Data Corporation (IDC) research stated that 80% of smartphone users check their phones within 15 minutes of waking up. I know, we all have a lot going on in our lives but we don’t need as much to go on in our head as soon as we wake up. The brain needs to wean from the state of nothingness of sleep, to the everything-ness of the day.
Few minutes of stretching, a prayer if you must, glass of warm water with lemon, a bit (or a lot) of meditation; are all great morning rituals. And above all, an affirmative plan to stay positive (no matter what), sets the ball rolling for living the Mesopotamian phrase – “carpe diem” that translates as “seize the day”.
“If you don’t seize your day, it’ll just slip away.”
Whether you are a morning person or not, the start of the day is literally the start of a new existence – a new you for that moment, date, month and year of your life. It can be a good morning if you are able to leave the regrets of the past and apprehensions of the future; and start your day with a pledge of positivity. Life itself is ephemeral, so are joys and sorrows. Seize your life and make it the best you can. Every moment.
These affirmations will remind you that your psychological resources supersede a specific threat or worry. That way you can focus and build on your self-worth, so your reactivity to the threat is lesser and your psychological wellbeing is protected.
Especially in the recent past, the status of mental heath in the pandemic has dropped. Relaxation and positive focus is imperative to prevent stress from turning into more serious anxiety or depression.
Enjoy listening, protect your mind from negativity, and have a wonderful day!
References
- Cascio, C. N., O’Donnell, M. B., Tinney, F. J., Lieberman, M. D., Taylor, S. E., Strecher, V. J., & Falk, E. B. (2016). Self-affirmation activates brain systems associated with self-related processing and reward and is reinforced by future orientation. Social cognitive and affective neuroscience, 11(4), 621–629.
- Cohen, G. L., & Sherman, D. K. (2014). The psychology of change: self-affirmation and social psychological intervention. Annual review of psychology, 65, 333–371.
- Sherman, D. K., Cohen, G. L., Nelson, L. D., Nussbaum, A. D., Bunyan, D. P., & Garcia, J. (2009). Affirmed yet unaware: exploring the role of awareness in the process of self-affirmation. Journal of personality and social psychology, 97(5), 745–764.
