“Words have the power to change how we think and feel about ourselves,” says Helen Martin. Martin wrote the article “Words to live by” for In The Moment magazine. Our words have the power to build someone up or tear someone down. Our words can show someone how much we love them or show them how much we don’t. It’s important to be mindful of what we say and how we say it. Words can change our lives.
How Our Words Impact Us
Our words don’t just have the power to build up or tear down those around us. We are not immune to our words either. The way we talk to ourselves matters. “Self-belief is empowering, filling us with confidence that results in a calm and focused mind,” says Martin. Unfortunately, too many of us talk is a negative tone with ourselves. If all you are telling yourself is that you aren’t working hard enough, you aren’t doing things right, or you aren’t worth it, you’ll start to believe these things. It’s important to practice speaking to yourself in a positive manner. Your other relationships will also benefit from this.
Affirmations
“Affirmations are important reminders of our core strengths, beliefs, and values, like gentle nudges from a kind and encouraging friend,” says Martin. Would you put up with a friend who was always spewing negativity about you? Probably not, so why do you put up with it when it comes from yourself? Instead of feeding into these negative thoughts, practice using positive affirmations. Affirmations are phrases that speak to who you are, like a mantra. They can help motivate you to be your best self. “By internalizing these positive words, our internal monologue becomes loving,” says Martin. “As a result, we feel we can trust our instincts, safe in the knowledge that we know who we are. We can follow our ambitious dreams with a solid foundation of hope and love.”
Changing Your Thought Patterns
Part of the goal of using mantras is to help you change your thought patterns. It helps you “press stop and begin a different conversation,” explains Martin. They help to show what’s important in our lives. “Cycles of negative thought that can permeate our lives can be quieted with an affirmation’s steady words.” Affirmations, Martin says, have also been shown to “increase the number of feel-good hormones in our brains. “Positive emotions are formed from those positive thoughts; love, kindness, serenity, joy.”
Arbor Behavioral Healthcare wants to help you live a life full of love, kindness, serenity, and joy. Call us today at 844-413-2690. We can’t wait to speak with you and help get you started today!