Practicing Positive Self-Talk
Most people have an internal dialogue that reflects their thoughts, beliefs, and perceptions. This internal dialogue is also called self-talk, and it’s a powerful tool that can alter how we view ourselves and the world around us.
Whether we are aware of it or not, self-talk plays a large role in our mental wellbeing. Positive self-talk can build us up, while negative self-talk can tear us down. Your mental narrative is a small part of who you are, but it has a big impact on your happiness and personal growth.
Let’s take a look at what positive self-talk looks like, why it’s important, and how it can benefit our mental health and personal growth.
What Is Positive Self-Talk?
Positive self-talk isn’t the same thing as arrogance. Instead, positive self-talk is the act of using encouraging affirmations when speaking to yourself. It helps you identify and focus on your strengths rather than your weaknesses.
When practicing positive self-talk, you don’t need to turn a blind eye to your shortcomings or faults. Nobody is perfect, and identifying areas for improvement is essential to your self-growth. That being said, keeping a positive mindset will ensure you learn from your mistakes in a productive way.
In many ways, your beliefs act as a self-fulfilling prophecy. This means that if you constantly view yourself as inadequate, then you’re more likely to fail and give up. If you focus on your strengths instead, then you’re more likely to seize opportunities for growth and success.
Explore our mental health resources to discover how Sequoia Behavioral Health can help you achieve mental wellness.
Examples of Positive Self-Talk
Practicing positive self-talk can be difficult at first, especially if you’re used to only seeing yourself in a negative way. However, with a little practice, you will start to see yourself in a healthier, more positive light.
Some healthy examples of positive self-talk include:
- I am capable
- I am doing my best
- I will learn from my mistakes
- I am worthy of love and happiness
- I am proud of myself and how far I’ve come
Regularly practicing these positive affirmations will help you identify and reaffirm your strengths. Over time, you will regain your confidence and see the world through an optimistic lens.
Read our related article to discover the benefits of strength based therapy.
Why Is Positive Self-Talk Important? Benefits of Positive Self-Talk
Positive self-talk can help you become the best version of yourself. It helps you align yourself with your strengths and accomplishments, rather than your shortcomings. This can drastically increase your confidence, which makes it easier to achieve your highest potential.
Practicing positive self-talk is also a crucial aspect of maintaining your mental health. When you show yourself compassion rather than criticism, it creates a mindset that’s centered around growth and healing. This will not only boost your self-esteem, but it will also help you achieve personal growth.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a popular therapy modality that puts a strong emphasis on positive self-talk. The main goal of CBT is to identify negative thoughts, emotions and behaviors, then replace them with positive alternatives. Positive self-talk is an important aspect of CBT, as it allows you to restructure your negative thought patterns.
Thoughts, emotions, and behaviors are all deeply interconnected. By practicing positive self-talk, you can improve your mood and behaviors. CBT is a powerful therapy technique that’s known to treat depression, anxiety, and even PTSD.
Who Can Benefit From Positive Self-Talk?
Positive self-talk is a healthy technique that can provide immense benefits to everyone. That being said, it can be particularly beneficial for individuals that suffer from mental health conditions.
Mental health conditions like depression and anxiety can feel like a heavy burden that can’t be lifted. This can cause individuals to develop a negative perception about themselves and their future. Positive self-talk challenges these negative perceptions, and it allows individuals to see themselves in a healthier, more realistic light.
Read our related article to discover what it means to be grounded.
When Can You Use Positive Self-Talk?
Positive self-talk can help you in nearly every moment of your life. However, there are some specific moments where it can be particularly helpful.
When you’re experiencing difficult or challenging times, positive self-talk can help you get through them in a productive way. It can also help you when your thoughts are spiraling into negativity, self-doubt, or self-blame.
Read more about how to stop negative self-talk.
If you regularly practice positive self-talk, then your mind will default to it automatically. It can take a while to get to that point though, so don’t get discouraged if you’re not seeing immediate results. Stay persistent, and always look for opportunities to turn negativity into positivity.
Sequoia Behavioral Health—Helping You Achieve Mental Wellness
At Sequoia Behavioral Health, we understand the damaging impact that negative thoughts have on you and your life. Our team of mental health experts can help you achieve mental wellness through proven therapy techniques and compassionate care. We work closely with you to develop a treatment plan that’s personalized to you and your mental health journey.
If you or a loved one needs assistance achieving mental wellness, reach out to our mental health experts today.