Impact of Self-Talk by Jennifer Ruiz

Posted on November 19, 2021 by Jennifer Ruiz, One of Thousands of Spirituality Coaches on Noomii.

Self-talk is the voice inside your head that speaks to you, impact of self talk can be either negative or positive. Some people use self-talk as an internal monologue where they constantly criticize themselves for their mistakes while others speak encouraging words of affirmation which motivate them in life. In addition, some people talk out loud to themselves when giving advice whereas others keep all thoughts to themselves.

The self talk we have with ourselves is very important. It can be the difference between being positive and negative. Positive self talk has been shown to improve our moods, self-esteem, and even physical health. We need to take care of what we tell ourselves because it impacts us in a lot of ways. This blog post will go over why self talk matters and how you should change your self-talk if you want to be happier.

How does self talk affect me?
There are so many things that shape our self-talk. It could be the people we meet, or even a song on the radio. But where does this all start? Our self talk comes from everywhere in life and you might not be fully aware exactly how your environment affects you; few of us maintain that talent of self-awareness.

We all say things about ourselves in our heads every day. Whether we’re thinking something positive or negative, it makes a difference in the way that we feel throughout each day. It impacts us at work, with other people, and even when we make decisions for ourselves without realizing what kind of impact of self talk has on us emotionally.

• Mindfulness Techniques – Being mindful is being aware of what’s happening right now in your mind and body to stay grounded in the moment. This tactic often helps you focus more clearly during stressful times and can be used to improve self-awareness and reduce anxiety.

• Acceptance – Accepting things in your life that you cannot control is hard but it’s often necessary for mental health. For example, if you’re not happy with a job or the relationships you have with others then acceptance may help to make peace with those issues so they don’t cause any more stress than needed. You need to accept what is happening now instead of fighting against reality.

• Negative Self-Talk – “I’m too fat.” OR “I’m never going to find someone who loves me.” These are examples of negative self talk which should be avoided because when we think about these sorts of thoughts on a regular basis, they become ingrained in our existence. Have you heard of the law of attraction? It theorizes that what we think about the most, whether positive or negative thoughts, will eventually manifest into reality.

• Changing Negative Self-Talk – This is a mindfulness technique where you replace self-critical or destructive thoughts with more constructive and supportive ones. For example: “I’m too fat” becomes “I have been working on my fitness lately.” OR “I’m never going to find someone who loves me” becomes “everyone deserves love in their life so I’ll continue looking for it.” If you notice yourself having these sorts of thought patterns then try this mindfulness tool! It can help improve confidence because instead of focusing on your weaknesses, which feed anxiety and depression, you’re focusing on things about yourself that are worth acknowledging.

*self awareness – being aware of your emotions is part of being mindful. Is your heart racing? Are you scared? Lets explore and understand those feelings. Is self-awareness of emotions a good thing? Self-talk is the internal dialogue we have with ourselves. It’s important to be aware of what you’re telling yourself because it impacts your mood, self confidence, and even physical health!

• Positive affirmations are a great way to train your brain on how you think and act, so that positivity is the first thing it thinks of every time. Negative thoughts can be corrected by introducing positive ones like “I love my body” or “My life gets better with each day.” These types of affirmations don’t require any form commitment – anyone can do these exercises anywhere anytime without having to worry about space constraints or time limitations.

*Positive Self-Talk: The self talk we have with ourselves is so important. It can be the difference between being positive or negative. Positive self talk has been shown to improve our moods, self esteem, and even physical health! We need to take care of what we tell ourselves because it impacts us in a lot of ways even if we don’t realize it.

Why does getting rid of negative self-talk matter?
The voice we’re likely to hear the most often in life is the one inside our head because they’re with us all of time. The impact of self-talk can affect how you feel about yourself, your confidence and mood which might impact what actions you take. For example if we tell ourselves over and over again that we’re a disappointment at everything, then this probably means we will give up on things more quickly than someone who believes they are capable resilient problem solvers.

Negative self-talk can hinder our ability to learn, limit our growth, stunt achievement and drag us down. Positive self-talking on the other hand tends to empower us with encouragement for trying new things or building confidence in ourselves when we are feeling low about life’s challenges.

WHY TRY?
The idea of “why try,” in essence, can limit what we do and how much effort is put into things. We might isolate ourselves if we believe that socializing with others isn’t possible or begin to apply for jobs because the work seems too difficult to handle on our own where as a team it may be more manageable. This could also affect any skills learned throughout life: such as learning a new technical skill.

What is mental illness self stigma?
Mental illness can be difficult to manage, and the effects of stigma are often damaging. One way self-stigma manifests is through negative thoughts a person may have about themselves or their diagnosis that they think might come from false assumptions, misinformation, and fear in society. An example of this would be assuming that those with mental illnesses must all be dangerous people just based on someone’s particular diagnosis; discrimination against them could then lead to more feelings (such as anxiety) which worsen one’s condition.

When you internalize stigma, it becomes part of your identity. You hear the beliefs and ideas society has about people with mental illnesses like depression or bipolar disorder; or even agree with others as stigma is wrongfully applied; then apply those negative thoughts to how you see yourself. For example: if we grow up in a world that often sees someone who is depressed as only attention-seeking. Many of us will accept it and use these believed-in stereotypes when judging ourselves rather than seeking help because we think our problem is not valid.

How do I stop the automatic negative thoughts?
Thoughts are a part of life, but we can’t let them overtake our lives. We should be proactive in managing the thoughts that come to us and respond accordingly with positive affirmations or mantras.

Mantras can be a powerful tool for self-control and positivity. Mantra repetition has been proven to increase levels of serotonin, dopamine, oxytocin in the brain which help with stress management and emotional stability.

More about mantras!
Mantra repetition, according to many studies from different disciplines including neuroscience, has been demonstrated time after time. For example, one study found that when participants were asked about their mood before they repeated mantras or sayings over five days it was reported as significantly better than those who did not repeat any phrases at all. Sayings can be associated with targeting emotions happiness, self-control, focus, and others. Some mantras are typically used by people looking for relief through repeating certain words again and again while others may simply use them as an escape during stressful situations.

A mantra is a timeless word or phrase that, when repeated over and over again, becomes like an old friend. It can be used as a tool to help you maintain focus during meditation sessions by providing distraction-free thoughts on the go (or in your head). Examples of mantras include “I am one with all things,” “peaceful awareness” and my personal favorite: “supporting others is self fulfilling.” Mantra repetition also has numerous physical health benefits such as improving immunity levels through reducing stress hormone production. The impact of self-talk can be positive or negative.

In conclusion…..
You know that old adage of “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me”? Well, it turns out this is not true. The way we talk to ourselves has a profound impact on how we feel about ourselves and the world around us. Same goes for how others speak to us. Negative self-talk or negative thoughts seem harmless at first glance but they are actually more harmful than you might think. When your brain gets stuck in an unproductive loop of negativity, it becomes difficult for anything good to enter into your life because all those bad feelings block any chance for positivity from getting through. But there is hope! There are simple steps you can take today to help yourself turn things around. First step is recognizing the impact of self-talk on your own happiness.