Every day, you talk to yourself in your head and out loud, often not realizing how this affects your overall wellbeing. In today’s society, self-deprecating jokes have become the norm as people belittle themselves and brush it off with a laugh. However, this can have a profound effect on your mental health. Negative self-talk can worsen your mental health over time, which is why you should work to speak more positively to influence your thoughts and emotions. Over time, you will see a change in your mental health.
What is Self-Talk?
Everyone engages in self-talk whether they realize it or not. For some, positive self-talk may come naturally, but for the most part, many individuals have to consciously work on it to make it a habit. Self-talk can occur both inside your head and verbally and relates to how you speak to yourself and see yourself in the world. Negative self-talk can cause depression and anxiety, often worsening symptoms if they do not make a change. Over time, positive self-talk can become second nature with a little practice.
What Does Negative Self-Talk Look Like?
Negative self-talk, also known as rumination, is when you relive negative moments or thoughts in your head and take them out on yourself. Depression and anxiety are often caused by rumination, especially if you engage in it daily.
Some examples of negative self-talk include:
- “I will never get a date if I don’t lose weight.”
- “I’m so weird. No wonder no one likes me.”
- “There’s no way I’ll get the job. I’m not good enough.”
- “I shouldn’t even try. I can’t do it. I’m a failure.”
Examples of Positive Self-Talk
On the flip side, positive self-talk is encouraging, motivating, and affirming. It should lift you and support you even if you are not 100% confident in yourself. By engaging in positive self-talk, you can change your overall mindset and perception of not only yourself but of the world around you.
Examples of positive self-talk include:
- “I can do it because I am smart and capable.”
- “I am strong and brave. I can survive this.”
- “I am the perfect person for this job. I will get it, and if I don’t, I will be okay.”
- “I am always loved, even when I don’t think I am worthy of love.”
Self-talk plays a critical role in one’s mental health and affects physical health and overall wellbeing. Engaging in negative self-talk can be damaging, leading one to experience depression and anxiety symptoms. Positive self-talk can help this over time, but one must practice it to make it a subconscious habit. If you are in recovery or struggling with mental health, positive self-talk can do wonders to help you along with your healing process. At Alta Loma, we can help you learn to practice positive self-talk to encourage successful recovery and positive mental health. To learn more, call us today at (866) 457-3843. We can help you get to a place of motivation that comes from within!
