Do you routinely feel stressed, overwhelmed, and defeated? If so, you could be experiencing the side effects of negative self-talk. On the flip side, encouraging self-talk and positive thinking can be an incredible stress-reduction tool, changing your trajectory and setting you up for more success!
What Is Self-Talk?
Self-talk is the constant flow of thoughts that go through your mind daily. Simply put, it is your internal monologue. There are two types of self-talk: negative and positive. Negative self-talk replays past mistakes, hurtful memories, and damaging thoughts. Many people don’t grasp the importance of avoiding negative self-talk, as it can affect every area of your life.
Now let’s chat about positive-self talk. When you practice positive thinking, you show yourself compassion and think about the good you’ve done and all you plan to do in the future. Utilizing positive self-talk doesn’t mean you ignore the unpleasant things in life. Instead, you approach them in a more productive, mindful way.
Why Does Positive Thinking Work?
The classic self-help idea of the power of positive thinking does have science behind it, and it connects to the reticular activating system in the brain. It’s not so much that you’re manifesting success and positivity as it is perception and that you are opening yourself up to seeing the opportunities you can capitalize on.
When you’re thinking about something, you are more likely to find it, and it’s more likely to happen simply because it’s on the brain. Buy a new red car, and you will suddenly see red cars everywhere you go. Why? Because you’re thinking about it.
Focusing on all the positive things you want in your life won’t necessarily make them appear out of the blue, but you are better equipping yourself to see those opportunities when they arise. And when you’re negative, you can miss those opportunities because you’re too busy focusing on what you lack, which makes it much more difficult to create positivity. Focusing on lack and negativity will only lead to more lack and negativity.
It’s not easy, but with practice, you have the ability to influence your mood, so you can shift from a negative to a positive mindset. From here on out, you can work to take back control and be the one to determine how you feel each day. You have the power to choose the lens through which you see the world. Why not pick a positive one?
What Are the Health Benefits of Encouraging Self-Talk and Positive Thinking?
Did you know that the Mayo Clinic reports that positive thinking helps manage stress and improve health? Researchers believe that positive thinking and self-talk may have the following health benefits:
- Lower depression rates
- Better immunity
- Increased lifespan
- Lower overall levels of pain and distress
- Better cardiovascular health
- Better physical and mental wellbeing
- Reduced risk of dying from cancer, respiratory conditions, and infections
- Better coping skills during difficult times
How Can I Overcome Negative Self-Talk?
It is natural for your mind to drift to a negative experience or focus on something from the past that you wish happened differently. It could be the end of a relationship or the loss of a job. It could be a time when you were shamed or belittled, or it might be a time when you lost your cool and reacted in a way that you shouldn’t have. Whatever it may be, dwelling on bad memories can be debilitating and will hold you back without your realizing it. Think about those things enough, and it becomes a pattern, but it’s a pattern you can break.
The next time you have a negative memory, you’re going to stop yourself and replace that memory with a positive one. So, when your brain wants to bring you down, you’re going to stop and lift yourself up by recalling a time when the opposite occurred. If you’re haunted by a memory of a time you were unkind, think of a time when you acted admirably. If you’re reliving a bad memory when you choked, focus on a situation when you performed well under pressure.
It can be difficult to do this right on the spot when you slip into that pattern, so take some time beforehand to write down those replacement memories you can use the next time this occurs. Visualize that positive memory right down to the smallest detail, and incorporate every single sense, so you can bring it to life in your mind. Think about it almost like you’re memorizing a script, so when you slip into that pattern, you can quickly switch gears to think about a victory instead of a defeat.
Learning More About Self-Talk and Positive Thinking
Recently, I’ve been a guest on a few podcasts, sharing tidbits from my new book and insight from personal experiences. One that will be especially helpful in encouraging self-talk and positive thinking is Cultivating a Thriving Mentality – please take a few moments to check it out.
I believe everyone can overcome adversity, which is exactly why I wrote Thriving in the Storm: Nine Principles to Overcome Any Adversity. When you’re going through the most challenging moments of your life, that’s when this book will help you the most – I invite you to snag a copy today!