Did you know that the way you think could significantly dictate your health, or how you take care of yourself?
Yes, as it turns out, it does matter how you look at the glass; being half full or half empty. If you’re a woman, it is even more important to cultivate positive self-talk, as it has proven benefits on your health.
And just to be clear; we engage in self-talk through every hour of our waking existence, even if you’ve never taken the time to appreciate it. Ready to learn how it can help you? Then read on.
This is part 4 in a series about How to Make Your Self Care a Top Priority in Your Life. Here’s part 3 if you missed it and it covers Are You Giving Yourself Enough Self Care.
Positive Self-Talk Reduces Stress
The fact is women are exposed to a greater array of stressful scenarios than men, regardless of what anyone would have you believe. It is the way of the maternal provider, as a woman is typically tasked with home and child rearing responsibilities, in addition to being fully employed quite often.
As a result, there will inevitably be numerous days when stress gets the better of you- maybe the kids are sick, or there’s an issue in the house that urgently needs fixing. Then, there’s the negative spiral that depressing self-talk can lead to.
Instead, use positive self-talk to re-affirm to yourself that you are capable, that you will survive, and that you are beautiful and good enough. Never feel insignificant, as that is the fastest way to compound negative emotions.
Bonus Cheatsheet: Click Here to Download Your Free Nurturing Self-Talk Phrases Cheatsheet (PDF Version)
Positive Self-Talk Motivates You
Women frequently suffer from lack of motivation. Given, it is often worse than men, who can become very self-motivated in the matter of an instant. A great example of this is going to the gym. Women tend to be very lax in this aspect, and can easily find ways to talk themselves out of going. However, in that same vein, it is also very doable to talk yourself into going.
Try asserting the goals of fitting into those flattering pair of jeans this summer, or looking totally gorgeous in that bridesmaid dress you are set to wear in the coming months.
Positive Self-Talk Improves Relationships
These can be relationships with friends or family, but are more often associated with a significant other. Positive thoughts and self-talk offers only benefits in building a healthy relationship, as realizing that you are valued and worth a damn will only cause your mate to show you the respect that you deserve.
Do not devalue yourself, as it is very possible the world would start seeing you the way you see yourself.
It Helps You During Times Of Great Difficulty
Financial hardships are a common occurrence to many people today, and end up breaking the best of us. However, instead of wallowing in self-pity, helpful self-talk is the way to go. If you have a fixed income job, you could talk yourself into picking up a side gig of a skill you have, you can make a goal of doing better next month (if your livelihood depends on sales and marketing) or even if it involves personal loss.
Some women take loss too personal, for example the end of a relationship. Grieving is normal, but it is important for you to realize that you gave it your best.
Positive Self Talk Is Good For Your Health
Women who practice positive self-talk regularly are at the lowest risk of developing certain chronic conditions, such as heart disease. Stress plays a large role in development of high blood pressure and heart disease, and- you guessed it, positive talk does wonders.
Your immune system is also bolstered, almost with the same mentality of “no germs can keep me down”!
Positive self-talk is a way to reprogram your subconscious mind.
All you need is to be willing to let go of the mental beliefs that have created the patterns causing the limitation or lack in your life. It is your willingness, which allows the Universal Intelligence within you to sort out the changes for you. Mysterious and miraculous it may be, but you will start to see it working in your life if you practice positive self-talk with conviction.
The Upward Spiral Of Positive Emotions
Professor Barbara Fredrickson, a social psychologist from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, has published a number of papers that detail her research and science behind positive thinking and positive self-talk.
According to Fredrickson, and many other psychologists today, our emotions are the direct result of our thoughts. Therefore, if we think a negative thought, we experience a negative emotion.
If we think a positive thought, we experience a positive emotion. Sounds simple in theory; in fact, for most of us, 80% of our thoughts are negative, with only the remaining 20% being directed in the positive direction. Fredrickson likens the trajectory of our emotions to an upward or downward moving spiral:
Negative emotions spiral down, pulling us into ever darker, unhappier and more painful states, while positive emotions spiral up, leading us to increasingly lighter and more joyful states.
It is possible to train our minds to move out of the negative states and into the healthier, more beneficial positive emotional and mental states. The more we move upwards on the positive spiral, the more our emotions tend to move upwards. They feed each other.
In other words, the more positive emotions we can feel, the more we feel positive emotions. It takes practice, discipline, and commitment, but it is possible to move out of depression, and anxiety and fear into happiness, contentment, acceptance, and forgiveness, and a serenity that can be our new normal for the rest of our lives.
The key is to take action and start to change the way you think. Beliefs are simply that: They are beliefs, not facts. Therefore, they are not the absolute truth. Therefore, why waste your life believing something that results in unhappy feelings?
Doesn’t it make more sense to pick beliefs that lead you towards health, happiness, joy, and love? You only have one life” You get to choose how you live it! What will you choose?
In PART 5… Why Practicing Gratitude is Essential For Self-Care