Welcome to Week 5

Mental Skills continued - Self-talk

If the average person has approximately 60,000 thoughts per day, and 75% of these thoughts are negative, then it’s understandable how this constant barrage of negative thoughts can significantly impact our mental health, happiness, and overall quality of life.  Let’s get a bit serious here, and think about the impact of all that negative self-talk; if studies have shown that 12 positive experiences/thoughts are needed to equal one negative one and 75% of thoughts are negative, it’s a wonder we ever leave the house!

Turning Negative and Repetitive Thoughts Around

Fortunately, it is possible to break free from negative and repetitive thinking patterns and cultivate more positive and new thoughts.

1. Engage in Positive Self-Talk - Instead of engaging in negative self-talk, try to focus on positive self-talk. Look for the positives and hold onto them. Remind yourself of your strengths and accomplishments and give yourself credit for your efforts and successes.

2. Challenge Negative Thoughts - An effective strategy for breaking free from negative thinking patterns is to challenge negative thoughts. Often, our negative thoughts are not based on reality but on our perceptions and beliefs about ourselves and the world around us. By challenging these thoughts and examining them critically, we can gain a more balanced perspective and reduce their power over us. Remember, you can tell your mind things. If you tell your mind something positive and keep repeating the positive, the mind will accept it.

Key Resources for Week 5