Former Strictly Come Dancing professional Oti Mabuse has been praised online for using positive affirmations to help calm her nerves before sky diving out of a plane during the first episode of the new series of I’m a Celebrity.
Instead of the usual plank challenge, half the campmates had to sky dive from a helicopter as part of a race to become the first leaders of the camp. Alongside N-Dubz singer Tulisa Contostavlos, presenter Dean McCullough, Loose Women’s Jane Moore and McFly’s Danny Jones, Mabuse had to jump from a helicopter and parachute onto a beach to be united with the other half of the campmates.
As she was about to drop from the open helicopter door, Oti closed her eyes and repeated some positive affirmations to keep her anxiety at bay. “I am brave and I am strong,” the professional dancer chanted.
After landing safely on the beach below, some fans commented about the success of Mabuse’s calming technique. “Oti doing words of affirmation before her dive is the kind of boss woman I aspire to be,” one user commented.
“Oti saying affirmations to herself before she jumped out of the helicopter was the cutest thing,” another added.
“Oti is me doing the smallest of things lol taking the bins out ‘you are brave, you are strong,” another joked.
The two-time Strictly winner has previously discussed the importance of positive affirmations. “If I’ve learnt anything from this weekend is that affirmations are so important,” she wrote on Instagram. “Most of the time we walk around not feeling worthy but reassuring yourself is one of the most important things.”
And when advising someone who was struggling with confidence in an interview with Avon she said: “Keep saying their daily affirmations and always remind themselves that they are ‘enough’.”
The health benefits of positive affirmations
Wellness advocates have been praising the benefits of positive affirmations for years. They’re self-affirming phrases that people repeat out loud, with research by psychologists revealing they can help with reducing stress, enhancing academic performance and increasing physical activity.
“Positive affirmations can be a powerful tool for managing anxiety and improving mental wellbeing,” explains holistic therapist, Kezia Kecibas. “By repeating affirmations, we shift our focus from fear or negative thoughts to empowering, calming messages. This can help reframe our mindset and create a sense of control, especially in high-pressure situations like Oti’s experience before jumping out of a plane on I’m a Celeb so it was good to see this being used on such a big platform.”
Kecibas says affirmations work by interrupting the stress response and grounding us in the present moment, helping reduce anxiety and boost confidence. “This technique, when practiced regularly, can have a profound impact on mental health, supporting emotional resilience and a more positive outlook,” she adds.
Getting started with positive affirmations
While Oti’s words of self-encouragement on last night’s I’m a Celebrity looked well practiced. It can be difficult to know how to begin using positive affirmations if it isn’t something you’ve tried before.
Choose your affirmations: Select positive, present-tense statements that resonate with you. “For example, ‘I am calm and in control’ or ‘I am capable of handling any challenge’,” Kecibas suggests.
Make it a routine: Kecibas recommends setting aside a few minutes daily to repeat your affirmations, whether aloud, written down, or recorded for on-the-go calming moments.
Focus on feelings: When repeating affirmations, focus on how they make you feel. “Visualise yourself embodying these positive traits and really see yourself feeling stronger, calm and more resilient,” Kecibas advises.
Use them in moments of stress: In moments of anxiety Kecibas advises, stopping, taking a deep breath, and repeating your affirmations to regain focus and calm. “Again you need to repeat these but remember it can take time for affirmations to make a noticeable impact, so be patient and allow the process to work gradually,” she adds.
“By following these steps, you can integrate affirmations into your routine, fostering a calmer and more positive mindset.”
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