The Link Between Negative Self-Talk and Autoimmunity
Words are powerful. When spoken by someone else they can lift us up or crush our spirit in a spit second. Have you ever thought about the impact of your own words on your health?
Self-talk is the endless stream of unspoken thoughts that run through your head. According to Mayo Clinic negative self-talk can have a direct impact on our stress level, and ultimately, have an unfavorable affect on our overall health.
We hear every word we speak and every word we think. And our body listens. Just like we can “physically feel” the love, pain, joy, or sorrow in the words spoken by others; our body feels and responds to the words we speak and the words we think just the same.
So, let's take a look at how this applies to Hashimoto's, which is an autoimmune condition.
Autoimmunity occurs when the immune system of the body begins to attack itself to the point where disease develops. In essence, negative self-talk is also a form of attack on our self.
If we want our immune system to stop attacking our body, then we must change other places where we are also "attacking ourselves".
From a Christian perspective, we must remember that we were beautifully created by God and that He loves us so much.
"I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; that I know very well."
- Psalm 139:14
So, no matter what we think we might want to change about our self right now, we must learn to be content with how God made us...beautiful and "wonderfully made"!
Loving your self is one of the greatest ways that you can honor the Lord, and is also one of the best gifts you can give to your self. You will be happier and healthier when you are kind and gentle and encouraging to your self on a daily basis. But this takes practice.
Throughout your healing journey, I ask that you think about how you “speak” to yourself. Are you kind and loving like you would be to a child? Or are you critical and condescending?
We can break the cycle of negative thinking, and negative speaking, if we recognize it, and then redirect our thoughts.
Action Item:
When you find yourself in a circle of negative thinking or speaking, pause for a moment. Take a deep breath and ask yourself “Do I really feel this way or am I just frustrated, scared, angry, disappointed, etc?"
If this moment of clarity becomes emotional for you then take this time for prayer. Let God guide you through this process.
Also, taking out your journal and writing down your thoughts and feelings can be very therapeutic. Think about how you are feeling. Why you were thinking negatively about your self. And then write down something positive to focus on instead.
“Dear friend, I hope all is well with you and that you are as healthy in body
as you are strong in spirit.” – 3 John 1:2
About Jaime
Jaime Ward, INHC, CGP, CBIN provides Functional & Integrative Nutrition Health Coaching for Women with Autoimmunity.
Jaime is Board Certified by the American Association of Drugless Practitioners, Certified in BioIndividual Nutrition, a Certified Gluten Practitioner, and currently pursuing a Master of Science degree in Nutrition with a focus on Functional Medicine from The University of Bridgeport.
Jaime is also a speaker, a writer, a busy mom, and a Celiac Survivor. Jaime coaches with a Christian heart filled with lots of love, support and compassion.
For more information about how Jaime can help you, click here.
