Let's talk: How the words you use affect your mind

Did you know there are about 7,000 languages spoken around the world? Each one has its own unique sounds, vocabularies, and structures. But here's a fascinating thought: can the language we speak shape the way we think? Cognitive scientist Lera Boroditsky believes it can. She shares some amazing examples, like an Aboriginal community in Australia that uses cardinal directions (north, south, east, west) instead of left and right, and the multiple words for blue in Russian. These examples suggest that language does indeed shape our thought processes. As Boroditsky puts it, "The beauty of linguistic diversity is that it reveals to us just how ingenious and how flexible the human mind is. Human minds have invented not one cognitive universe, but 7,000." 

This ties perfectly into how the words we use daily can impact our mental health and overall well-being. The language we choose to engage with, whether it's positive or negative, has the power to change the way our brain works. It doesn’t just affect others—it plays a huge role in our own wellbeing. So, being intentional with our words isn’t just good manners, it’s good mental health too. Let’s dive into how you can harness the power of words to boost your mindset and improve your life.

The science behind positive and negative words 

How language shapes our brain 

It all starts with the brain. It's the command centre for how we analyse, understand, and experience everything around us. Thanks to neuroplasticity—the brain's nifty ability to reorganise itself—we're able to keep learning and adapting our entire lives. 

When we keep using the same type of language over and over, our brain gets really good at reinforcing those pathways. This is what we call the "science of habit." According to psychologist Dr. Rick Hanson, we can use this to our advantage by consciously choosing positive words and language structures. Dr. Hanson suggests that this practice can "hardwire happiness" into our lives, making it easier to maintain a positive outlook. 

On the flip side, always using negative language can mess with our mind. Research from the Black Dog Institute in Australia indicates that negative self-talk  can make depression and anxiety worse, creating a tough cycle to escape.

Source: The Science of Habit 

Positive vs. negative language: What's the impact? 

Structure of the brain

Positive language:

• Boosts frontal lobe activity, enhancing cognitive reasoning. 

• Improves information analysis by breaking it down into manageable parts. 

• Encourages motivated decision-making and promotes flexible, forward-thinking. 

Negative language: 

• Inhibits the release of stress management neurochemicals like dopamine and adrenaline. 

• Increases feelings of stress, anxiety, and anger. 

• Leads to "cognitive distortions" resulting in hopelessness and depression. 

 Source: The Power of Language 

The health benefits of positive thinking 

Researchers keep digging into how positive thinking and optimism can boost our health. Here’s a quick rundown of the benefits you might get from looking on the bright side: 

• Lower stress and pain levels 

• Stronger resistance to illnesses 

• Better mental and physical well-being 

• Healthier heart and lower risk of heart disease and stroke 

• Lower cancer risk 

• Reduced chance of respiratory issues 

• Lower risk of infections 

• Improved coping skills during tough times

So, why do people who think positively tend to enjoy these health benefits? One idea is that a positive outlook helps you handle stressful situations better, which in turn reduces the negative effects of stress on your body. 

Source: Positive thinking: Stop negative self-talk to reduce stress 

Revamp your words, revamp your life 

1. Step back from the situation 

Feeling overwhelmed by negativity? Try stepping back and looking at the situation from a third-person perspective. Instead of saying “I’m so stressed,” say “Sarah is feeling stressed.” This trick can help you gain clarity and a more positive outlook. Research suggests that using your name or non-first-person pronouns can help you think more clearly and positively about personal challenges. According to a study by Positive Psychology, this distancing technique can significantly reduce emotional distress and improve problem-solving abilities.   

2. Be your own cheerleader 

Changing that negative inner dialogue isn’t a walk in the park, but it's essential for a healthier mindset. Start catching those negative thoughts and flipping the script:

• Swap "I can't do this" with "This is a chance to learn something new." 

• Change "It's all my fault" to "What can I improve?" 

• Replace "Everything is ruined" with "That didn't work out. What’s next?" 

These small tweaks can make a huge difference in how you perceive and handle obstacles. Research from Health Direct shows that positive self-talk can improve performance, reduce stress, and enhance overall well-being. 

3. Embrace gratitude

Make it a habit to set goals, process your feelings, and appreciate the little things in life. By doing this, you’re training your brain to focus on the positives. Over time, these positive neural pathways get stronger, helping you tackle everyday challenges with a more optimistic mindset. Studies published in Harvard Health reveal that regularly practicing gratitude can lead to better mental health, increased happiness, and lower levels of depression.

Taking care of our mental and physical health isn't always a walk in the park, but the way we talk to ourselves can make a world of difference. So, let's flip the script and choose our words wisely. You’ve got the power—use it!