Short mantras are the best when you need to calm down. They bring you back to the present moment because they trigger you to reevaluate what matters right NOW. Try one of these mantras the next time you need a breath of fresh air... for your soul.

“First, it is an intention. Then a behavior. Then a habit. Then a practice. Then a second nature. Then it is simply who you are.” — Brendon Burchard

Mantras are short phrases or words that are meant to be repeated, either out loud or silently, to help you align with their meaning and energetic qualities. Their meaning can be something that’s already given to you, or something that's very personal.

Start using your favorite mantra today as a touchstone for peace.

Then when you need it most, you'll have a practice to fall back on.

6 Short Mantras for Calming Down Fast

1. No big deal.

I’m sharing this first mantra from Zen Habits, where the phrase is described in greater depth with practical examples of how it could apply to nearly anything in life (aside from major things that are a big deal).

Meaning: The way I respond is a big deal, but the situation doesn’t need to be a big deal. If something can be mended, I can mend what needs mending. If I can help, I can do what I can do to help. If there’s nothing I can do to change a situation, I can learn to let it be. Either way: No. Big. Deal.

2. Only this.

I wrote a whole post dedicated to this two-word mantra because it’s been helping me out quite a bit.

Meaning: Whatever I happen to be doing, I do it from a place of mindfulness. I show up, fully and intentionally, for what’s right in front of me. I care about this. Only this has my undivided attention.

If it has come, let it arrive. If it has gone, let it be gone. Let things be as they already are, then you can be free. You are even free to change what can be changed, in peace.

3. Open wide.

Meaning: When I feel myself shutting down or closing myself off to others, I soften and open wide. When my mind is wandering during an intimate conversation or dinner, I get present and open to the moment. When I’d rather be somewhere else, doing something else, but I’m here anyway, I open myself to what is.

4. All will be well.

Maybe not everything is well right now, but I am still willing to believe that all will be well. In some ways, that does make everything okay right now, even if it doesn’t seem okay. Trust is my language.

5. Love, still.

This means that I love because that is who I am, not necessarily what someone else is displaying. I love not despite the struggle but because of it. If there is fear or anger or sadness, I see it as a call for love. I see everything as a request from the universe to love deeper.

“Inner peace begins the moment you choose not to allow another person or event to control your emotions.” — Pema Chödrön

6. Release tension. Set intention.

I’m sharing this final mantra from Brendon Burchard, high performance coach, which he suggests using during transition moments.

Meaning: Before I begin what I am about to begin, I release tension from what I just finished and set an intention for this new beginning. Before I take this action, I let go of any residue from the past and set an intention for how I want to feel and live through this next action.

. . .

Tell me:

Which of these mantras is your favorite?

Tell me in the comments. I read every single one, and I’d love to know!

With love,

Jen

P.S. Clear away distraction so you can get to the heart of what you want your life to feel like. Get my book Sleep Rituals for 100 at-home practices that are all about you. Your peace. And the life you really want.