Every year, nearly 40 percent of American adults set New Year’s resolutions. But out of this percentage, only 9 percent end up keeping their resolutions. If you’re hoping to keep your New Year’s resolution this year, it’s important to plan ahead, be realistic and outline the steps you need to follow.
But aside from the general resolutions of losing weight, eating healthier and exercising more, we also encourage you to think about things that can improve your mental health. What else can you do in the New Year that will make you stronger, happier, healthier and more resilient? One of them is replacing negative self-talk with positive self-talk.
What is Negative Self-Talk?
Negative self-talk is any inner dialogue you have with yourself that is excessively negative. It can sound grounded (“I’m not good at this, so I don’t need to try”) or downright mean (“I always disappoint everyone!”), but it always diminishes your ability to make positive changes in your life. Not only is self-talk stressful, but also it stunts your growth.
Aside from that, negative self-talk can cause the following consequences:
- Decreased motivation
- Feelings of helplessness
- Limited thinking
- Mental health problems
- Feelings of depression
- Relationship challenges
What is Positive Self-Talk?
Positive self-talk is an inner dialogue that makes you feel good about yourself and the things going on in your life. It encourages you to look at the bright side of things and pick yourself up when you’re feeling down. Examples of positive self-talk are, “I am very happy for myself,” or, “Even though things are hard, they could be much worse.”
When you regularly engage in positive self-talk, you can benefit your mental health, performance and relationships. The benefits of positive self-talk are:
- Greater life satisfaction
- Increased vitality
- Reduced pain
- Improved immunity
- Better mental and physical health
- Less stress and tension
How Can I Think More Positively?
Self-talk can be positive or negative. A lot of your inner dialogue has to do with your personality. If you’re an optimist, your thinking tends to be more hopeful and positive. If you’re a pessimist, your thinking will be more negative and limiting.
Fortunately, there are ways to reduce negative self-talk and turn it into positive self-talk. This is a great New Year’s resolution, as it will change the way you look at yourself, the world around you and what you can accomplish.
Here are some tips for changing your negative thinking:
- Identify negative self-talk. Try to pinpoint where you experience the most negative self-talk. Is it at work? When you’re around family? This can help you prepare for the situation and enter it more positively.
- Take note of your feelings. Stop and think about how you’re feeling throughout the day. Are you engaging in negative self-talk? Can you turn it into something more positive? (“This is too difficult” vs “It sounds challenging, but I’ll give it a shot.”)
- Approach things with humor. Humor can relieve stress and tension, and make your problems feel less ‘big’. Turn on a funny TV show or watch your favorite comedian to get the laughs going.
- Surround yourself with positive people. The company you keep has a major impact on your thinking. Surround yourself with people who lift you up and make you feel good.
- Practice positive affirmations. Work on saying positive affirmations. This redirects your thoughts and puts the power back in your hands. (“I am getting better and better every day.”)
Book a Life Coaching Session to Find Out What’s Holding You Back
If you think your self-talk is too negative, we challenge you to make positive self-talk one of your resolutions. Doing so will have a positive impact on your life, plus make it easier to carry through with your other resolutions, which may include losing weight or exercising more.
To discuss your life challenges with the best psychic in Los Angeles, book an appointment with Jack Rourke. As an experienced psychic and life coach, Jack can uncover what’s holding you back and help you develop strategies for success. Let’s make 2023 a great year!
