The Power of Positive Self Talk
Negative thoughts are like a cute set of workout gear: you can’t just have one. Once one negative thought pushes its way through into your subconscious, it’s all too easy to start spiralling. And that’s where positive self-talk comes into play!
What is positive self-talk?
Think of it like this - if a loved one or close friend was struggling with something in their life, how would you best advise and support them in a way that offers both comfort and upliftment? It’s about leaning into our strengths rather than focusing solely on our weaknesses, and using these to solve problems or difficult situations that we might be facing.
Methods for implementing positive self-talk into your daily routine
1. Challenge your negative thoughts: Ask yourself, is there actually truth and evidence to back up what I’m thinking, or is it just a perception? If there’s no logic to support those thoughts, it’s probably a sign to change your point of view.
2. Start with positive self-talk in one specific area: If you’ve ever tried to implement a new habit, you know that trying to change too many things at once is usually a recipe for failure. Try starting by focusing on one area of self-talk that you want to improve at a time, then come up with positive statements and visualisations around those specific intentions.
3. Practice gratitude: Kickstart your day by either writing down or stating out loud the things that you’re grateful for. If you’re feeling stuck, start small - whether it’s 5, 10 or 20 things; shift your attention to all that you have to be thankful for and watch those negative thoughts and feelings fade away.
4. Incorporate mindfulness: Take your pick! From mediation, deep breathing and yoga, there are numerous different ways in which you can trick your brain into focusing more on the present moment and less on your negative thoughts.
We know it can be tough, but it’s time to stop being your number one critic and start being your number one fan instead. Because at the end of the day, if you can’t even count on yourself too, then who can you?
Team Sudor