Skip to Content

Try One of These Mantras to Boost Your Mood

Having some motivation can help you make it through anything—whether it’s a long run or physical distancing.

By
Setting up the smartwatch for the running
xavierarnau//Getty Images

Just keep swimming coronavirus is important, but changing your whole lifestyle is really daunting. Running alone or at-home workouts might not be something you’re used to, but you’re trying to make it work. And working from home, spending more time with members of your household and less (okay, no) time socializing with your friends is a major adjustment.

As runners, we probably have some type of motivation to get us through long runs or past the dreaded wall. And just like the pain of a long run, we’ll get past this crazy time—stronger on the other side. So, we asked runners what mantras they are using right now. If you’re having a down day or need something to brighten your spirits, shift your thinking and give one of these motivational messages a try.

[Download the All Out Studio App for more amazing Runner’s World workouts!]

Remembering This Won’t Last

Low Section Of Woman Tying Shoelace On Street During Sunset
Sengchoy Inthachack / EyeEm//Getty Images

“Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass, it’s about learning to dance in the rain.”— kaiden.deck

“This too shall pass.”—findingnell5

“One day at a time.”—amyvega12

“Better days are coming.”—xo_doll

“We will meet again.”—hannah_jord

“I hate this Twilight Zone episode!”—jenniprzy8.3

“Running isn’t canceled. I can still run and running makes me happy. ‘Endorphins. Running is a blessing in this time of pandemic,’ I tell myself as I run over and over.”—sandracabral5

“I just keep thinking better times are coming... just got to be patient (which isn’t my strong point). Time to get stronger with that!”—runs_with_tattoos

“The sun will shine on us again.”—rudresh9029

“Also this will end.”—metteklitmoller

“It’s only for a season. Next season is just around the corner. Stay strong.”—jade.blackford

[ldquo;Nothing stops the show.”&mdash]

Being Able to Keep Running

Young woman running along concrete wall in the city
Westend61//Getty Images

“I run for those who can’t.”—runningtofindmyself

“I get to run tomorrow! Everyday.”—loststardust

“I still have running.”—msullivansilva

“Nothing stops the show.”—jaylaw

“Never take for granted the ability to be able to go outside for a run.”—lilmommywendy

“Every kilometer I am getting stronger and stronger.”—i_am_mkhozana

“Run. Streak. April.”—cuquicogworks

“Same mantra that goes through my head on every run. I don’t think about this crap when I’m out there. That’s my time.”—goodin_goods

“You don’t need a race to be a runner, just as you don’t need playoffs to be a ball player. You just keep playing.”—templeton_run_club

“My body was built to run.”—ladymamala

[How to Stick with Your Running Streak (For Real This Time)]

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Control What You Can

Male runner stretching leg and feet and preparing for running outdoors. Smart watch or fitness tracker on hand. Beautiful sun light on background. Active and healthy lifestyle concept.
olegbreslavtsev//Getty Images

“Progress not perfection.”—moxie262

“Control what you can control.”—lisa_marie_wb

“‘I can do hard things’ and ‘Just do the next right thing.’”—ssfzollweg

“I just keep telling myself ‘one more step’ over and over. It’s simple, but when you have runner’s brain you need something small and easy to focus on!”—cnslider

“I can, I will! (Applies to resting, running, eating an extra ice cream bar, learning a new programming language, etc!)”—tsheks

“Worrying won’t improve the present or the future.”—lgriebes

“There are things you can’t control and there are other you can.”—la_yvette_bvp

“Run the mile you’re in.”—sydneyrubert

“One day at a time.”—tatedub

“Life is 10 percent of what happens to you and 90 percent how you react to it.”—_grassy_knoll_

[Here’s How to Start Running So You Fall in Love With the Sport]

Using Fear for Fuel

Young man running on suburban road
Maisie Paterson

“F.E.A.R.—Face Everything and Rise.”—lorilikes2run

“Fear is boring.”—paul_touf

“Fear—a word everyone talks about lately. I choose to think of it differently and go back to an old favorite. Fear - Face Everything and Rise.”—runeatcoffeerepeat

“No pain! Especially when I go for runs or a cross-training day.”—runlongoria

“You’ve got this. Dig in. Come on you can do this. Big breath, relax. This isn’t the hardest thing you’ve pushed through, suck it up get going.”—gfinstructorpnorthcityfitness

“Don’t. Give. Up. Just. Yet.”—ima_beck_key

“You didn’t come this far to only come this far.”—bclark.__

“The devil said to me ‘you can’t handle the storm.’ Today I whisper in the devil’s ear ‘I am the storm.’”—pete.mc.s

[Everything You Need to Know About Rhythmic Breathing]

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Staying Tough

Road Running in the Countryside
Luca Sage//Getty Images

“Inhale courage. Exhale fear.”—tonypapola

“This is tough, but I’m tougher.”—kaden_zipen

“Tough times don’t last, tough people do.”—lex_flo

“Sh*t happens but better never stops.”—baby_and_the_beard

“I’m tougher than this.”—jharrings

“Airplanes don’t take off with the wind but against it.”—jgetman24

“It’s not about winning, it’s about not giving up.”—jengovostis

“Keep moving forward.”—advice5ktt

“Dig deep. There’s strength in there to take you the next mile.”—optinerdcrystal

“No retreat, no surrender.”—tfacciani

“If I can take it, I can make it.”—csharma28

“The wind is my friend, it makes me stronger.”—jllrem

[New to Exercise? Here’s Why It’s Never Too Late to Add Strength Training]

Find Your Happy

Smiling sportswoman checking her smart watch
pixelfit//Getty Images

“Have courage and be kind.”—bachaelfit

“Every day is a new day. So, make the best of it. I’m alive and well.”—e_zazza13

“Just another day for you and me in paradise.”—_sweitz

“Just breathe. Simple and oh, so difficult sometimes.”—buckeyeteach21

“Shortly after each run and or exercise, no matter how long, I always find myself in the shower. Washing away all the dirt and sweat and stretching out my muscles. I always think to myself, What to Know About Running With a Fever.”—jolly_zero__

Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming. Quote from Dory [in Finding Nemo]. Works for running and life in general.”—jolivingcali

“I made a ‘happy pandemic’ playlist that I blast and I don’t think, I just ride the oldie wave of pop music to better days.”—happilymya

“Flexibility is key now. Breathe!”—edna_havlin

“Be kind. Keep moving forward.”—maybeelizabeth_

“It’s OKAY if it’s hard. It’s NOT okay to quit.”—jenruns2020

“Breathe in, breathe out, move on.”—rmccarry

“Always look on the bright side of life.”—strong__runner

[Mindful Meditation Can Help You Stay Positive When the Going Gets Rough]

Headshot of Jordan Smith
Jordan Smith
Digital Editor
Jordan Smith is a writer and editor with over 5 years of experience reporting on health and fitness news and trends. She is a published author, studying for her personal trainer certification, and over the past year became an unintentional Coronavirus expert. She has previously worked at Health, Inc., and 605 Magazine and was the editor-in-chief of her collegiate newspaper. Her love of all things outdoors came from growing up in the Black Hills of South Dakota.
Watch Next 
preview for General Hype Playlist
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below