How Improving Your Thoughts Improves Your Health: Understanding the Cost of Negative Self-Talk

Understanding the role negative thinking has on health, confidence, and burnout. What you think you believe.

Jenn DeWall, Mental Health & Mindset Speaker and Consultant

Today we're diving into a topic that's close to my heart: the health impact of negative self-talk. As someone who's worked with countless leaders and professionals, I've seen firsthand how that little voice in our heads can make or break our success and mental health. I struggle with negative self-talk too. Afterall I’m an achiever and negative self-talk has been my dominant motivator my whole life. You know the track - “You’re not good enough -work harder,” or “You’re not smart enough, learn more.”

While the negative self-talk might seem like not a big deal or just a part of life, it’s actually a silent saboteur that’s wreaking havoc on your mental health and happiness. 

Let's break it down:

First up, mental health. When you're constantly putting yourself down or doubting your abilities, you're paving the way for anxiety and stress to take hold. Negative self-talk can push you to overwork and undervalue yourself, leading to decreased confidence and emotional exhaustion - it can push you into burnout.

But it's not just your mind that takes a hit. Your physical health can suffer too. Chronic stress from negative thinking can suppress your immune system, increase blood pressure, cause sleep problems, increase weight gain, and reduce your cognitive abilities. Need I say more of why you need to change your thinking?

Now, I know what you're thinking. "Jenn, I'm a high achiever. I push myself hard because that's how I get results." I hear you! But here's the kicker: that perfectionism driven by negative self-talk? It can actually hinder your performance. It can make you less agile, and unsurprisingly more intense to work with, which means your relationships might suffer. And I'm not only talking about the "work you," think about how you show up to those you care about outside of work.

So, what can we do about it? As a mental health and mindset speaker and consultant I've got some strategies to help you flip the script:

1. Increase your self-awareness of your thoughts. Take a moment to recognize those negative thoughts. Are you constantly comparing yourself to others? Dismissing your achievements? Begin naming your negative thoughts. You might notice that you have the same thought again and again or that there are certain situations that ignite your negative self-talk.

2. Challenge perfectionism. There’s no such thing as perfect. If you find it, let me know as it’s likely right next to the fountain of youth. Striving for excellence is great, but perfectionism can be a trap. It can actually stifle your ability to learn, making you more prone to developing a fixed mindset. 

3. Stop defining success as winning or losing. You’re not ever winning or losing, you’re living and learning. Learn to reframe failure as growth. Reframing failures as learning opportunities can help alleviate that fear of failure that plagues so many high achievers. 

4. Practice self-compassion. Treat yourself with the same kindness you'd offer a friend. Research shows it leads to better performance and mental health. When you start to judge yourself, try to offer kindness like “you’re doing your best,” or “I’m proud of you for trying.” Learn to offer words of support to yourself, it’s essential. Afterall, the greatest abuse a human will endure is the abuse inflicted upon them by themselves.

Remember, shifting your mindset is a process. Be patient with yourself as you work on developing more positive thinking patterns. The goal isn't to eliminate all negative thoughts – that's unrealistic. Instead, aim for a more balanced perspective, a mindset that keeps you grounded, one that embraces your own humannness.

As high achievers, we're used to pushing ourselves to the limit. But true success isn't just about external achievements – it's about maintaining our health and well-being along the way. As they say, your health is your wealth. By addressing negative self-talk and cultivating a more positive mindset, we can safeguard our health, reduce stress and burnout, and enhance our ability to achieve and enjoy our lives both inside and outside of the office.

Your mind is your most powerful tool. Remember, the most important conversation you have each day is the one you have with yourself. Make it a positive one!

Jenn DeWall, Mental Health & Mindset Speaker, Specializes in burnout, confidence, and building a growth mindset for success