Why is Self-Talk so Important?
Take some time and reflect on what you have said to yourself today. Are your words kind and helpful? Or do you tend to be critical and harsh when speaking to yourself?
Self-talk refers to the inner conversations we have with ourselves every day. We can either practice positive or negative self-talk. Our conversations impact how we feel about ourselves as well as how we act and respond to situations in our life. The things that we tell ourselves can be beneficial or damaging to our self-confidence, emotions, and behaviours.
How we speak to ourselves matters! Research demonstrates that positive self-talk:
Improves self-esteem
Improves stress management and wellbeing
Reduces symptoms of depression and anxiety
Engaging in negative self-talk can lead to one doubting their abilities and self-fulfilling prophecy. For example, if one repeatedly tells themselves, “I cannot do this. I will fail.” They are less likely to put effort into the task and be unsuccessful. Negative self-talk and rumination can also significantly affect a person’s mental health, leading to anxiety and depression.
The first step in shifting to positive self-talk is building awareness of your thoughts. Pay attention to the way you speak to yourself day-to-day and recognize any common thoughts. The next time you notice yourself speaking negatively about yourself or situations in your life, ask yourself some questions about your thoughts:
Would you be comfortable saying these thoughts to someone else?
Am I labelling myself harshly?
How truthful is this thought? What supports this thought?
What is a more helpful thought? Try replacing the thought with a more neutral or positive statement.
If you would like to receive help with challenging your negative self-talk, reach out to Holistic Annex for counselling services.
