Doctors Say Your
Word Choice Can Hugely Change Your Brain
Be careful because the next
word you say could determine how your day is, or the rest of your life might
pan out. Doctors at Thomas Jefferson University explained that the choice
of our words could actually have more impact on our lives than we actually
think. Think the words of “I can’t”, “I won’t” or “it’s tough”, are harmless?
Use them long enough and it will literally change your brain and here’s why.
Positive words strengthens frontal lobe
Dr. Andrew Newberg and Mark
Robert Waldmen, authors of life-changing book, “Words can change your brain”, wrote
that “a single word has the power to
influence the expression of genes that regulate physical and emotional stress.” By
using more positive words in our daily lives, the areas of our frontal lobes
are exercised, making it more effective.
By stimulating frontal lobe
activity, you are developing an area that is in charge of telling you what is
right from wrong and the ability to override and suppress socially unacceptable
responses. As a result of frequent use of positive words, it will then
give you the motivation to take charge of your life and your choices.
Negative words increase stress hormones
So what happens when we use
too much negative words? The use of negative words activates the fear
response in us which raises the levels of our stress hormones which the
Amygdala is responsible for. Too much negativity and we become edgy as the
stress hormones take over our body.
Although it might be true
that a little stress is good for our bodies, but too much of it can cause many
problems to our physical and mental health.
Changing the way we view ourselves and others
The doctors added further
that the use of positive language can start to change the functions of the
parietal lobe which is in charge of how we view ourselves and others. With a
positive view of ourselves through the use of positive and encouraging words,
it will make us lean towards seeing the good in others too.
However, a negative
self-image brought about by negative use of language can fill us with
suspicion and doubt causing us to be more wary of others which changes the
way we behave socially.
The experiment
Studies were conducted to see
whether it is true that using uplifting words can help to rewire our brain and
thought processes. A group of adults ranging from age 35 to 54 were tasked to
write down three things every day for the next 3 months that make them the
happiest and why they chose those three.
Three months into the study
and it showed that these adults felt more happy and less depressed. The study
was also able to tell us that we are all capable of rewiring our brains to
become more positive by focusing on the events that make us happy instead of
events that don’t.
Practical methods of using positive language
When we’re angry, there are
many times when we use words which we regret using once we cool down. Experts
say that this is because when angry words are used, they partially shut down
the areas of logic and reasoning located in our frontal lobe. The amygdala
which is our center for ‘fight or flight’ responses will then take over.
This explains why most of us are not able to think before reacting when we
are angry. Some experts term it, ‘amygdala hijacking’.
With the habit of using
positive language, we can train our frontal lobes to be more effective even
when we’re angry so that we become more logical when dealing with heated
situations.
If you are currently unaware
of whether you are using more positive words than negative words, start to pay
attention to your word choice and write them down if you can. Also, to put
yourself in a more positive frame of mind, try writing down 3 things that makes
you happy every day and start to see that positive change in your life.
http://www.lifehack.org/420483/doctors-say-your-word-choice-can-hugely-change-your-brain?ref=mail&mtype=daily_newsletter&mid=20160728_customized&uid=687414&email=drmsriram%40yahoo.com&action=click
http://www.lifehack.org/420483/doctors-say-your-word-choice-can-hugely-change-your-brain?ref=mail&mtype=daily_newsletter&mid=20160728_customized&uid=687414&email=drmsriram%40yahoo.com&action=click
No comments:
Post a Comment