Name Calling – How what you Say to Yourself Changes what You Think about Yourself

Anyone over the age of 30 has heard the phrase,”sticks and stones may break my bones, but names can never hurt me.” Nothing could be further from the truth. Science has shown that stress, even from external stressors such as school bullies or difficult working relationships, has negative effects on the immune and other systems of the body. Stress can also lead to self-destructive habits, such as smoking, which in turn can lead to much more complex physical symptoms.

Fortunately, positive self-talk can lead you in the opposite direction. For instance if you tell yourself that you can quit smoking, even if you don’t believe it at first, you can help bring about the situation where you do actually quit smoking. I remember the major attitude change I had when I stopped calling myself a “smoker.” I would get ribbed by my other smoking friends about how I just quit buying them, but as I started to separate myself from the smoke break habit, I could better identify with the non-smokers.

Soon I was calling myself a “non-smoker,” which had both social and mental implications. When I was able to embrace my status as a non-smoker my whole outlook changed. I no longer felt confined by my addiction. Maybe the same can happen for you.