Feb 13

Feb 13 Practicing positive self-talk

Mental Health, Motivation & Growth, Self-Care

Did you know that you have around 70,000 thoughts per day? These thoughts, specifically the ones directed towards yourself, significantly impact your emotions and mental health, which is why practicing positive self-talk is so important.

Here are a few ways to implement positive self-talk to improve your mood and overall wellbeing.

Recognize negative self-talk. When your train of thought becomes negative, gently guide yourself towards more positive or neutral thinking. For example, if you think to yourself, “I’m not good at anything,” take a moment and reframe this thought as something like, “I’m not very good at this activity, but that’s okay because I have strengths in other areas and I can improve with practice.” It might be challenging to reframe this kind of self-talk at first, but begin recognizing negative thoughts, writing them down and asking yourself if they are 100% true or not.
Practice gratitude. When your mind is active with different concerns, it can be easy to ruminate on what is lacking or on ways you feel you don’t measure up. When this happens, redirect your thoughts by listing the positives in your life. Be thankful for small things like a delicious lunch or big things like good health and the loved ones in your life.
Treat yourself like you treat your friends. When you talk negatively to yourself, stop and ask, “Would I say this to a friend?" Often, this question will provide perspective and allow you to give yourself some grace.
Limit social media use. Excessive social media use can negatively impact your self-esteem because it can promote comparison and increase the chances of bullying. There is also the risk of seeking unhealthy validation from attention online. Consider setting time limits or taking some time off entirely.
Engage in humor. Laughter is one of the fastest ways to redirect unhealthy thought patterns. Consider watching a comedy special, reading a funny book or calling a loved one with a good sense of humor.

Give yourself time and be kind to yourself as you would to others. Like any habit, practicing positive self-talk may take more effort at first, but eventually, it will come naturally.