“You Are Beautiful – Talk To Yourself Positively”
By Rosalie Moscoe, R.N.C.P
All of us have commentary going on in our minds as a result of our past programming, our experiences and outlook on life. Some of those commentaries are positive; some are negative. Negative self talk isn’t all bad – your good sense could be warning you “if you take one more drink-you’ll be in trouble”, “don’t touch the stove-you’ll get burned.” Our survival mechanism depends upon such types of self warnings.
Self Esteem Can Suffer
However, our self esteem suffers if we consistently have our internal radio set on a negative station with self talk such as: “I’m an idiot”, “I’ll never make it”, “I’m at the bottom of the barrel”, “I won’t get that job”. Repeating these types of messages to yourself on a regular basis not only is self defeating, but also could set yourself up for a self-fulfilling prophecy.
Body Hate Is A Negative
Body image or body hate is a negative factor for women’s self esteem. In a Louis Reed Poll, 99% of women said they were dissatisfied with their body appearance. “I’ve got boulder thighs”, “chicken legs”, “flat chest”, “too big chest”, “big nose”, “too small a nose”, “no hips”, “too large hips.” Women often set up an unattainable view of beauty and then berate themselves for not living up to it. In the process, outlook, enjoyment of life and even one’s immune system gets dragged down.
So What Can You Do?
Accept yourself as you are right now. You are beautiful. If you feel you want to make changes:
Tune Your Internal Radio to A Positive Station
Arm yourself with phrases that strengthen your self-confidence, your mood and immunity, such as:
I am a worthy person.
I’m doing the best that I can.
Look how far I have progressed and I’m still moving forward.
I know I am not helpless.
I can and will take necessary actions to pull through this difficult time.
One step at a time.
I can remain calm with this difficult person.
I know I will be okay no matter what happens.
Yes, I can do it!
I am prepared.
I am in control of the situation.
I have no reason to be afraid.
I will do very well.
I have beautiful eyes, skin, hair (or whatever you think is beautiful about your body).
I’m dependable, honest, attractive, a hard worker (or whatever positive traits you feel you have).
Be Aware Of Negative Self Talk
Notice if you have negatives running through your mind.
Catch yourself when you’re putting yourself down.
Ask yourself: “Is this negative self talk really true or is being hard on my self just a bad habit?”
Can you really be sure that you won’t make it? Are you truly an idiot… all the time? Our actions can usually be remedied. If you’ve made a mistake, hurt someone by what you’ve said, you may be able to rectify that wrongdoing – or at least apologize and somehow make reparations. Everyone makes mistakes – it’s part of living. Perhaps mistakes are lessons to be learned. Each day is a new slate. Each moment is a new beginning.
Recognize The Mind And Body Connection
The impact the mind has on physical health is becoming better understood. Endorphins in the brain not only cause euphoria, pain relief, but also endorphins in the immune system bolster our health. Grief, depression, fear, and panic actually suppresses immune function, while laughter, love, faith and self-acceptance stimulates a positive immune response.
A book that I recommend on this subject is “What To Say When You Talk To Yourself”, by Shad Helmstetter. Take charge of your negative self talk – don’t let it take charge of you. Instead, use positive self talk phrases; your mental and physical health depend upon it. You deserve to feel happy.
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