As we think, so we become.
Source: Ryan Thwaite/Used with permission
The power of words has long been believed to hold one of the most important keys to mental health, achievement, and self-confidence. Our minds are the sanctuaries of our well-being, yet negative self-talk, doubt, and fear can often disrupt the peace and clarity we seek.
Our words hold the power of life and death in our tongues and affect our ability to love and care for ourselves and those around us.
The Power of the Brain to Change
The remarkable thing about our bodies is their natural ability to heal. Every day, out of the 36 trillion cells in the human body, approximately 330 billion regenerate. Our gut cells refresh weekly, and our skin, the body’s largest organ, rejuvenates every two to three weeks. Even our bones undergo renewal every ten years, and certain areas of the brain can also regenerate.
By reshaping neural pathways in the brain, we empower ourselves to transform and renew, allowing us to replace patterns of hate, anger, anxiety, depression, and guilt. Rewiring the brain can lead to the emergence of new cells and connections, fostering healthier patterns of functioning.
Repetition of an activity can physically change the brain. For instance, practicing a simple task like finger tapping daily can expand the brain areas involved in that activity, creating new cells and connections. This is similar to upgrading a computer with a new operating system, illustrating how new brain pathways can develop.
The key question then becomes: How can words help in rewiring neural pathways?
What Are Words?
Words embody an idea, a statement, a speech, a divine utterance, or an analogy and are an expression of a thought that usually symbolises a plan, an action, and an ending to that plan.
Our words profoundly influence our futures. Mahatma Gandhi captured this when he said, “Your beliefs become your thoughts, your thoughts become your words, your words become your actions, your actions become your habits, your habits become your values, and your values become your destiny.” Wayne Dwyer once said, “When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.”
What Are You Giving Power to?
Words hold the power to encourage, empower, and raise yourself and others to meet their full potential. Similarly, words have the power to start battles that cause the destruction of relationships or the crumbling of families. Words can heal nations or humiliate leaders and followers alike.
You align yourself with your words, so it’s crucial to consider which words you are choosing. Living out of alignment with our true selves can lead to mental distress, as the brain is constantly trying to reconcile conflicting thoughts and emotions that are preventing a sense of peace. The term “psychology” combines the Greek words for “soul” (psyche) and “mind” (logos), traditionally suggesting a separation between mental processes and the body. However, the concept of “soul” (nephesh) in some traditions integrates both body and soul, embodying meanings such as “living being,” “self,” and “passion.” As Kaplan’s uncle wisely noted, “Body and soul are not separate.”
When our thoughts and beliefs are misaligned with our true identity—when we try to please others or deceive ourselves—this disconnect can impair our functioning, causing imbalance and suffering. It is this inner conflict, this misalignment between our identity and our experiences, that often leads to distress and, ultimately, disease. Understanding and aligning with our true selves are essential for mental well-being.
Concept of the Mind
While not a universal remedy, practices like writing down your vision, goal setting, prayer, meditation, and positive visualisation can significantly improve mental health and well-being. The mind-body connection, involving interactions between the nervous, endocrine, and immune systems, plays a key role in managing stress and inflammation. Meditation, in particular, lowers blood pressure, reduces heart rate, boosts the immune system, alleviates anxiety and pain, and enhances self-esteem. It also improves overall and spiritual quality of life, with spiritual meditation offering greater benefits in reducing anxiety, improving mood, and increasing pain tolerance compared to secular meditation.
The Power of Living in Alignment With Your Truth
Be authentic, lean into your uncomfortable emotions, and seek support from a trusted friend or counsellor. “Anything human is mentionable, and anything mentionable can be more manageable. When we can talk about our feelings, they become less overwhelming, less upsetting, and less scary.” — Fred Rogers
Confidence Essential Reads
Research suggests that self-talk, especially in sports, can be beneficial depending on how it’s done and what is said. The cognitive approach to self-multiplicity explores different aspects of self, like the actual self, ideal self, and ought self. For instance, telling yourself, “You cannot give up now!” might reflect the need to self-motivate the actual self.
How Do Words Affect the Brain?
Recent studies using fMRI technology have shown that the use of pain-related and negative words can actually increase the perceived intensity of pain. These words trigger stronger brain responses in areas like the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), which are associated with pain perception and emotional processing. This heightened activation suggests that language can significantly influence our experience of pain, making it worse when negative terms are used.
In contrast, another study explored the impact of verbal encouragement on the performance of individuals with chronic ankle instability. The study found that phrases like “go, go, go” and “go as far as you can” improved performance on balance tests for these individuals.
Power of Your Words
Marcus Aurelius wisely reminds us, “You have power over your mind, not outside events. Realise this, and you will find your strength.” Like Michelangelo, who saw the statue of David within the marble, our words can shape the “looking-glass self”—a concept where we and others are seen as possessing the skills, resources, and potential to achieve our purpose and dreams.
Recognising the gap between our actual and ideal selves allows us to guide ourselves and others towards becoming our true, ideal selves. For example, affirming someone’s competence, like in piano playing, helps them move closer to their potential. Like Michelangelo revealing David from stone, our words can uncover hidden potential. This contrasts with the Pygmalion effect, where trying to mold someone to fit our ideals, rather than nurturing their true potential, can be harmful.
So, resist conforming to the negative words and influences of others. Instead, be transformed by renewing your mind, focusing on what is within your control, and use the power of your words to align your actions with your heart’s desires.
