Inner talk is natural. We all talk to ourselves throughout the day. Our minds are busy talking to us, answering back, and having pretend conversations with someone else. What supports us or causes angst isn't the self-talk, but what we say and how we say it. Positive, constructive self-talk boosts our confidence, and helps us remember things, rehearse potential conversations, and problem-solve. It only becomes a problem when we talk to ourselves in critical, harsh ways that tear us down and cause painful emotions.
Your inner talk and the beliefs they echo have great power over your health and every aspect of your life. They have the power to make you feel happy or sad, to define your past and to shape your future. They influence your health, how you feel physically and your risk of disease or getting well.
Did you know...?
Can you think of any way your inner talk doesn't affect how you experience life?
Listen to your inner talk and it will give you a clear view into your real perceptions and beliefs. Then notice how those perceptions and beliefs influence what you think about yourself, others, and your circumstances.
Back in my college days, I witnessed first-hand just how conditioned we are by certain beliefs and how they influence our decisions and self-esteem. As a psychology class experiment, I conducted a survey of fellow students using photos of of woman to see which ones were viewed as happier and more successful. The results were clear - the attractive women hands down received the most votes. No surprise there, but what did surprise those surveyed was that they were comparing photos of the same women. The only difference was how they looked before and after a makeover.
Here are some other examples of common conditioned subconscious programming you may find influencing what you tell yourself.
Can you see why you may not always want to believe your inner talk?
Your thoughts, emotions and actions influence you and your life choices and actions in a continuous cycle. When you disrupt the cycle by changing what you tell yourself, you change how you act and experience life. This is why so many teachers of manifesting suggest using affirmations and visualization to point you in the direction of what you want and open you to those possibilities.
When it comes to health and life choices, your belief systems, and the inner talk that springs from them, have more power than you may think.
For example, the power of thoughts to create spontaneous healing or on the flip side to cause negative side effects with sham treatments is such a bane to researchers that they have to allow for positive placebos and negative nocebos during clinical trials. They know when the subconscious mind believes something, it makes it happen, even when it defies logic. Beliefs about healing and health care are so powerful that even color influences research results. Blue pills mean downers, right?
Your inner talk has the ability to directly affect your health. New research supports what James Allen wrote in his book, As a Man Thinketh, over 100 years ago. Your body obeys your mind. Disease, health and circumstances often have their roots in your subconscious belief systems. Body cells respond to your perceptions and emotions, as do your moods and energy levels. Diet may help, but it is not as powerful an influence as your mind.
Your true thoughts and beliefs affect your health indirectly as well.
You tell yourself, "I am so tired (fact), I have too much work to do (opinion). It would be nice if hubby helped (opinion)". You feel overwhelmed and angry. Your body responds with tummy butterflies and tight shoulders (emotions and feelings). You react by snapping at hubby, and cleaning in a fury (actions). The action you do not see is your body churning out health damaging stress hormones. The next round of thoughts is likely to be even more negative. And so, since results mirror your what you believe, the downward spirals continue.
Note that, for the most part, your subconscious programming is running this show. You may not be consciously choosing it at all, even though your conscious mind may lends its support.
The good news is, this same flow applies to positive self talk, creating upward spirals. It is also within your control to use your conscious mind to interrupt the flow of stinking thinking and turn it around.
The key to mastering your mindset and inner talk, and ultimately your emotions, actions and results is to take control of what you hear between your two ears, instead of letting it control you.
Although there will always be an undercurrent of programming operating beyond your awareness, there is plenty for you to observe and influence.
You can spend a lot of time analyzing your inner talk, but what really matters is the impact those thoughts have on your life. Realize that talking to yourself is really talking to your Self. Your spirit and your subconscious mind listen and respond accordingly.
What you believe, and therefore tell yourself, guides you to make wise decisions, or those based on fear and old subconscious programs. They can cause you to either continue habits and behaviors that keep you on the road to poor health, or they can help you create a healthier, happier life.
Inner Talk: The Power of Your Thoughts page updated 12/2020
For Educational Purposes Only. This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or medical condition. Please consult with your health provider before using natural remedies and/or complementary therapies if you are pregnant, nursing, or you are being treated for a medical condition. Be aware that certain herbs and supplements interact with medications.
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