How the words you use can affect your mood

When you feel low, the language you use can reflect this feeling. In the same way, when you are happy and relaxed, you may act and speak in a positive, upbeat way. Your whole physical being can change, as can the words you say.

Say the following statement out loud:

I am feeling really sad, low and I am fed up with how my life is.

Now try:

I feel fantastic, life is great and I am happy.

Did you notice a change in yourself from saying one statement to the other? You may have noticed that, when you said the first, your shoulders rounded, your face tensed, or your heart sank. Then, when you said the second, your face may have lifted, along with your shoulders, and your breathing may have changed.

This is interesting when you think about it because nothing actually changed in your world, but you may have felt different just by what you said. This is the power of the words we use.

This is why it is important to become aware of what you say. What you think and say can have an impact on how you feel. If you want to feel better about yourself and your life, try speaking more kindly about yourself and your life. This may sound simple, but it can be worth trying.

Every time you notice that you are saying or thinking negative things, stop. Say “not this, not this”, then replace the old negative thought with a new, more positive statement. Say the new positive statement three times out loud if you can. If it is not possible to say it out loud, say it in your head.

Action

I challenge you to make a few changes to what you say and think. Then you can experience for yourself the effect that more positive use of language may have on you and those around you.

When you spend time with someone who is fed up, it can rub off, can’t it? When you spend time with a light-hearted person, that can rub off too. Who would you rather be with?