Now, more than ever, we need more kindness. Everyone can probably agree that kindness is good. However, the kindness that I am writing about is self-kindness. While working with patients on a daily basis, I hear people putting themselves down, such as commenting on gaining a few pounds during quarantine, which is not helpful to a patient’s mindset. It’s normal for our bodies to change during new and stressful times. Additionally, too often we reply to compliments with a dig (negative response) about ourselves. As noted in my prior posts, emotions (and mindset) are one of the leading causes of back pain and other conditions.
We would never say these negative comments about/to our friends, so we should practice stomping out negative thoughts and comments about ourselves. We should treat ourselves like we would treat our best friend. Think about the constant internal conversations you are having with yourself. Are your internal conversations uplifting and supportive, or are these conversations destructive and unhelpful? Take a few days and pay attention to your inner voice. Be mindful to make sure that your inner voice is bringing you love, support, and kindness!
How To Fix It
Consider the following self-help techniques to strengthen your confidence and emotional health:
Everyone gets down on themselves at some point in life. Negative thoughts are not real; our brain makes them up and we accept them as truth. When negativity creeps in, recognize it and dismiss it. To learn more about your emotional state, and the potential impact it may having on your body, take my Emotional Assessment.