Did you know just seeing/hearing a negative word can produce stress-producing hormones and neurotransmitters in your brain, interrupting the normal function, and imparing logic, reason and communication? That if you speak it out loud those stress chemicals increase? In a recent article in Psychology Today this and many other facts about negative thinking/speaking/self-talk are revealed (see link under Sources below).
Words change your brain! In their book by this title, Newberg and Waldman write: “A single word has the power to influence the expression of genes that regulate physical and emotional stress.” I’ve used it in my coaching and Pilates practice – if a client is stressing or holding their body tightly, I ask them to speak one word out loud: PEACE. Immediately, you can see/feel them release and relax their muscles/body posture. Amazing! With one word, one syllable.
The Mayo Clinic states, “Positive thinking [and speech to self and others] can increase your life span, lower rates of depression and distress, provide greater resistance to the common cold, bolster psychological and physical well-being, reduce risk of death from cardiovascular disease, and give you better coping skills during hardships and times of stress.”
Who knew? Look at the powerful way you can impact yourself and others with nothing more than sounds coming from your mouth. Today take time to breathe life into your world by using your words in a positive way!
Blessings!
Sources:
BOOK: Newberg, A., Waldman, M.R. Words Change Your Brain, 2013, Plume Publishers
http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2013/11/30/words-can-change-your-brain/
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