5 Tips for Overcoming Negative Self Talk: Strategies for South African People
Are you struggling with negative self-talk? Unfortunately, negative self-talk is an all-too common experience for many people and can make it difficult to lead a life of fulfillment and joy. It can feel hard to overcome negative self-talk, but with a little practice you can learn to change the way you talk to yourself and get back to a healthy mental space.
Negative self-talk manifests in many different ways, such as negative thoughts about our self-worth or lack of confidence and feeling inadequate. Self-talk can be so ingrained that it can be hard to recognise and change on our own and so it’s important to understand that you may need to seek out professional help if you really want to get to grips with any negative thinking patterns you might have.
The good news is that there are a number of strategies you can adopt to start overcoming your negative self-talk and we’ve outlined some of the top tips that are particularly relevant to South African people.
1. Positivity Propels You Forward
Mantras, affirmations and positive self-talk can be powerful tools in countering our negative self-talk. Positive self-talk has the ability to become a motivating force in our daily lives and helps us to move forward.
Start each day by setting yourself up for success, with positive affirmations about who you are and what you are capable of. Pick a mantra and repeat it to yourself throughout the day to remind yourself of its positive message. Just starting the day off with positivity can already help you to take steps in the right direction.
You can also boost your positivity by surrounding yourself with supporters who affirm your goals. This could be done through social media, joining support groups or having close friends who you know will always be there to give you a much-needed pick-me-up.
2. Mindful Meditation
Mindful meditation is an ancient practice and is becoming ever more popular in modern times. Mindful meditation has been proven to help people become more aware of the present moment and to become more aware of their thoughts and feelings without judging them. Research has shown that mindful meditation can reduce levels of negative self-talk and anxiety.
With mindful meditation, South African people can be guided through calming breathwork and guided visualisation that can help to refocus the mind from negative thoughts to more positive perspectives. This practice can be done on your own, but guided meditations can be helpful to learn the steps and to practice.
3. Develop Kindness for Yourself
Sometimes when we engage in negative self-talk it is because it can feel easier to be highly critical of ourselves rather than show ourselves compassion and kindness. To actively nurture kindness towards yourself, start by writing down a few of your key strengths and seeing how you can incorporate them into your daily life.
Try seeing each day as a chance to become the best version of yourself and practice self-care, such as taking time out to have a relaxing bath, to get outdoors and to enjoy time with friends and family. Taking out time for activities or that bring joy and happiness will help you to stay positive and gear you up for a better tomorrow.
4. Challenge Your Negative Thoughts
A lot of what we engage in is mindless ramble and so it can be helpful to become aware of how these negative self-talk patterns develop. Through identifying what triggers these thoughts and then questioning their legitimacy, you can actively challenge your negative self-talk and gain control over it.
Once you have identified a negative thought, you can try to analyse it and see if it is valid and look for concrete evidence for and against. This will help you to realise the rational and irrational parts of the thought and can help to put it into perspective. Keep a positive thought for when you’ve identified a negative one and repeat this several times in order to understand why it may have developed in the first place.
5. Reach Out For Support
Asking for help and reaching out for support can be a huge challenge, but it is so often invaluable and can make all the difference.
South Africa has a strong culture of community and so why not take advantage of it? Speak to your friends, family, colleagues and neighbours. There is often a collective understanding and acceptance of how people are feeling and so you never know, your story may lead to that of another. There are also a large number of mental health and wellbeing organisations and helplines that you can access to gain information and support in dealing with negative self-talk – such as the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG).
Getting help from a qualified Licensed Clinical Psychologist and/or Counsellor can also be very beneficial in providing valuable strategies to understanding and managing your negative self-talk.
Challenging your Negative Self-Talk with QikTruck
QikTruck is an instant truck and driver hire service offered throughout South Africa. QikTruck offers a convenient and cost-effective solution to your logistical needs, such as the moving of goods and furniture, and delivery of products. With a tested background check process, the QikTruck team offers safety and reliable services within their network of vetted drivers.
However, QikTruck isn’t just a platform to hire reliable and trustworthy truck and driver services. QikTruck is also a place of community and understanding. With an experienced customer support team and an easy-to-use platform, QikTruck understands the value of being heard and has your needs in mind.
By challenging the negative self-talk and making positive choices, like those described in the points above, we can take control of the negative thought patterns and replace them with healthy and positive ones.
QikTruck runs a user forum that facilitates honest conversations about mental well-being, as well as advice from experts on how to