The contribution of positive affirmations to our health is robust. Incorporating practices to take charge of our inner mind is one of the most effective tools to master our psyche and boost our performance, success, and personal happiness.
In this article, we will dig into how we can use the power of positive affirmations to affect our health positively, and getting clear on what works and what doesn’t.
So relax and let’s dig in.
What Has Science Said About Self Talk?
Oftentimes, when we engage in positive affirmations, the brain releases neurotransmitters that enhance our well-being feelings. Research shows that regular practice of positive affirmations can lower stress hormones like cortisol and increase the production of endorphins. Positive self talk can serve as a powerful tool for stress management by helping to break the cycle of negative thinking that often accompanies stressful situations. Regular practice of positive affirmations has been linked to improved immune system function, better sleep patterns, and reduced inflammations in the body.
Internal Dialogue: You Talk To Yourself.
Self-talk is something that is done by everyone. It is the systematic use of cue words in a silent or vocalised dialog with oneself. Here, the sender of the message is also the receiver. Everyone of us has an internal monologue that we engage in from time to time, either to give ourselves instructions, to motivate ourselves, or even to evaluate ourselves. Oftentimes, our inner voice may be mostly an echo of the voices of the people closest to us. If you used to be spoken to in a disapproving way, then your inner voice may probably reflect negativity. On the other hand; if you are often praised, then your inner voice may generally be more positive. These people who played important roles in your life may have impacted the way you communicate with yourself. But regardless of who or what shaped your self-talk, one clear thing is that self-talk have a measurable impact on your overall disposition and performance.
Impact Of Positive Thinking On Physical Discomfort.
People who practise positive self-talk often experience reduced pain levels and better coping mechanisms. Research has proven that positive thoughts can help modulate pain signals in the nervous system, hence some healthcare providers incorporate positive affirmations into their comprehensive pain management strategies.
Impact Of Positive Thinking On Building Resilience.
Constant practice of positive affirmations contributes to greater psychological resilience. By consciously choosing positive and encouraging self-talk, one can lay a stronger emotional foundation that may help to navigate life challenges. Improved mental resilience often translates into better and stronger physical health outcomes.
Three Steps To Take Charge Of Your Mind
Get to know your own inner voice.
To change anything about your self talk, you have to be aware of what you actually feed your inner mind. Be aware of when you typically speak to yourself either silently or loud. Know what you say to yourself and situations that make your inner voice critical. Pay attention to the people your inner voice reminds you about. With all of these, would your inner voice be called grumpy? Griff? Or assertive? As you get more familiar with your inner voice, include the next step
Broaden your view of yourself.
Anytime your inner voice makes you feel like you are inadequate or falling short in your health or body, it helps to be deliberate about expanding your view of yourself by focusing on your strengths and the other roles you play out beautifully well. So whenever you are having a difficult moment in the context of your health, you can momentarily recall the other aspects of your life that seemingly lifts your spirit. Doing so will swiftly nip the potential damage negative self-talk could do to your overall self-worth and well-being. And finally, you can put your self-talk to good use by
Rephrasing your self-talk the right way.
Whenever your inner voice tends to be excessively criticising or negative in tone, be deliberate about rephrasing what it tells you. That way you can turn it into a tool that fosters your joy and success little by little. Talk to yourself from a psychological distance. Rather than speaking from a first person perspective, use your first name instead. Address yourself as “you”.
Also, instead of using negative phrases, use positive and constructive phrases that avoid all forms of negation. For instance, it’s better to say “stay fit” instead of “don’t get fat”, “not bad, but you need to focus better next time” rather than “I wasn’t focused enough”, ”I look okay, but i can even even look better” rather than “I look like a gluttonous pig”.
Do not try to force feed yourself with lies by trying to believe something your subconscious mind already knows is not true- you may never be able to convince yourself, but you may hint yourself about what you want to see from yourself as opposed to what you do not want to see.
Practical Applications To Incorporating Effective Affirmations into Daily Health Routines
Implementing positive affirmations into daily lifestyle requires thoughtful planning and strategic implementation.
Rituals – it presents an opportunity to be intentional with affirmations that promote healthy choices, such as “Florence, you are nourishing your body with healthy foods today”. These can be paired with specific health-related activities such as “Florence, you are making mindful choices about your nutrition today”, “Florence, you handle challenges with calmness and clarity”.
Creating environmental triggers – it helps to establish consistent practice. This may involve placing affirmations cards by your bed stand, setting phone reminders for mid-day emotional check-ins, or keeping a wellness journal. The most important thing is to align affirmations with existing health behaviours, making them a natural extension of self-care routines rather than an additional task to remember.
For maximum impact, health affirmations should be tailored to specific wellness goals while maintaining realistic expectations. If you are working on stress reduction, you may want to use words like “Florence, you choose peace in moments of pressure”, while someone who wants to focus on physical recovery might affirm “Florence, your body has an amazing ability to heal and restore itself”. Your statement should keep evolving as your health circumstances change, ensuring they remain motivating.
Conclusion
The evidence from embracing the transformative power of positive self-talk for lasting health benefits is compelling. By applying these powerful tools, you can harness the power of your own thoughts to improve your mental and physical well-being. Embracing positive self-talk into your daily life can be a game changer for your overall health and life satisfaction.