“The greatest weapon against stress is our ability to choose one thought over another.”
– William James
How do the words above resonate with you?
Pause here for a moment and free yourself from distractions:
Take a deep breath in... exhale slowly... deep breath in... exhale slowly... deep breath in... exhale slowly... calm your mind and be present...
We stress too much. Thoughts are powerful. Negative thoughts can add stress that can adversely affect our physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
stress | noun a state of mental or emotional strain or tension resulting from adverse or very demanding circumstances.
In an hour, (60 minutes) what percent of your thoughts would you classify as negative?
Think about that for a moment... can you identify your negative thoughts,, or have you become desensitized to them...?
The Mayo Clinic shares some common forms of negative self-talk that may help you become more aware:
1. Filtering: You magnify the negative aspects of a situation and filter out all of the positive ones. For example, you had a great day at work. You completed your tasks ahead of time and were complimented for doing a speedy and thorough job. That evening, you focus only on your plan to do even more tasks and forget about the compliments you received.
2. Personalizing. When something bad occurs, you automatically blame yourself. For example, you hear that an evening out with friends is canceled, and you assume that the change in plans is because no one wanted to be around you.
3. Catastrophizing. You automatically anticipate the worst. The drive-through coffee shop gets your order wrong and you automatically think that the rest of your day will be a disaster.
4. Polarizing. You see things only as either good or bad. There is no middle ground. You feel that you have to be perfect or you're a total failure.
Which form(s) of negative self-talk are you guilty of?
Be honest with yourself, you can’t change what you don’t acknowledge...
Remember, it’s only a thought and thoughts can be changed.
“Breathe. Let go. And remind yourself that this very moment is the only one you know you have for sure.” – Oprah Winfrey
The point of power is always in the present moment.
What’s your plan?
What are you willing to do..?
Today’s Challenge: Practice positive self-talk.
Start by following one simple rule: Don't say anything to yourself that you wouldn't say to anyone else.
Be gentle and encouraging with yourself.
If a negative thought enters your mind, evaluate it rationally and respond with positive affirmations about yourself: “You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think” -Christopher Robin
Think about things you're thankful for in your life.
"it"s not stress that kills us, it's our reaction to it" - Hans Selye
Don’t miss your opportunity! Be intentional, encourage others to do the same and watch what happens.
You got this!
Coach Tavia
Related Article:
Positive thinking: Stop negative self-talk to reduce stress
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/positive-thinking/art-20043950
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