05 Apr How to Transcend Self-Doubt and Negative Self-Talk
We all have doubts. Some of us more than others, but we all experience negative and self-defeating thoughts at times.
And that’s OK.
That’s part of being human.
Accepting this is the first step to enjoying more positivity and happiness.
Because although it’s OK to have doubts, we don’t want them to overwhelm us and so learning how to overcome them is a vitally important part of living a good and happy life …
via Psychology Today by Leigh Jerome
KEY POINTS
- Self-talk and internal dialogues are normal, and provide a means for introspection.
- Chronic negative self-talk is insidious and can be destructive to psychological health.
- Learning how to change self-talk is a powerful way to transcend self-doubt.
What is that voice in your head saying right now? Do you feel lifted up with kind words of support or are your thoughts racing with distorted, fear-based criticism?
All of us have internal dialogues that narrate our day. There is a good reason for this ongoing recitation. Self-talk supports a variety of cognitive processes, including working memory, emotional regulation, coping, perspective taking, and moreover, as a means to reason, think through situations, and stay on track for addressing what needs to get done (Oleś, Brinthaupt, Dier & Polak, 2020).
While we all have an inner voice, not everyone thinks in words. People may also experience inner thoughts as emotions, sounds, or imagery (Hurlburt, Heavey & Kelsey, 2013). Further, not everyone pays attention to their internal dialogue in the same way. But for most people, their stream-of-consciousness voice is ever-present.
When self-talk is positive, it can boost performance, motivation, and confidence, releasing a cascade of benefits. Positive self-talk may enhance the immune system, reduce pain, improve self-esteem, and improve mental well-being. Unfortunately, our brain has a negativity bias, meaning we naturally attach greater emphasis to adverse events such as insults, failures, unpleasant stimuli, and pessimistic scenarios. We inflate the importance of negative events and feel them more intensely. This cognitive distortion means that the majority of our self-talk is at risk of becoming critical and fear-based. An inner voice that is harsh and judgmental can devastate confidence and pull us down like a weight. It can lead to the imposition of self-sabotage, unrealistic expectations, imposter syndrome, social isolation, and other challenges…
… keep reading the full & original article HERE