Intentional Wellness: Power of Words
Throughout life, we have been exposed to numerous words that can have an impact on us. According to Newsroom, the average person is exposed to 100,000 words per day, which includes what we read and hear. Therefore, the power of words can have a definite effect on the human body in a positive or negative way, depending on the words we’re exposed to.
Research conducted by Masaru Emoto, who exposed crystallized water to a variety of music, words spoken, words typed, pictures and videos, all showed the effect these simple but impactful words had on crystallized water. By taking photos and studying how the structure of the crystallized water changed, this experiment portrayed how the water exposed to positive words looked more symmetrical and beautiful than the water exposed to negative words. This can be viewed on YouTube with a popular video that received 3.4 million views. Check it out! Additionally, when contemplating how these transparent words affect water itself, how do you think it would affect the human body holistically? According to Discovery.com, the human body is made up of about 65 percent water. Thus, Emoto’s research proves how the human body can be poorly affected mentally and physically if exposed to negative words over time. Therefore, as stated by Emoto, “If thoughts can do that to water. Imagine what our thoughts can do to us.”
Moreover, the power of words and their repetition can be extremely impactful on the human mind. According to “The Power of Words” by Katie Gilstrap, the meaning of words reflects the perceptions that create the type of world we live in and the account for our beliefs and actions. The repetition of harmful words can cause us to believe this is more accurate compared to positive affirmations. For instance, research from the University of California at Santa Barbara discusses how weak messages repeated twice can become more accepted in our mindset than a strong message only heard once. This phenomenon is referred to as the Illusion of Truth Effect, stating how any words we hear more often or regularly will be viewed as more accurate or factual compared to the occasionally exposed words, even if it’s false.
The article “The Power of Words: Why We Need to be Intentional with the Things We Say,” by Smiling Mind, states how the words we associate ourselves with can have a direct effect on how we regulate our physical and emotional stress within our brains. Therefore, if we engage ourselves with certain words, our brains will automatically adapt to this type of thinking. This is referred to as the “science of habit” and involves the strengthening of neural pathways our brain creates when engaging with something repetitively. We can use this to our advantage and be self-aware of what words we’re exposing our minds to. So, if we “hardwire” our brain for positive language, we’ll experience greater frontal lobe activity, cognitive reasoning, better decision-making, and forward-thinking. However, if our minds still experience negative language, this will cause us to feel more stress, anxiety, anger and cognitive distortions, like hopelessness and depression. It’s important to be conscious of what you are surrounding yourself with because positive and negative words will leave an impact.
Using this information, it’s now time to implement these strategies and self-awareness in your life. According to both articles previously mentioned, it’s critical to import these tips to expose yourself to positive words and have a better well-being. The tips include censoring self-criticism, stopping self-deprecation, resisting gossiping, taking a break from negativity, encouraging the positive energy of words, limiting exposure to negative people, and surrounding yourself with positive words. Other ways to combat negative exposure is to distance yourself from the problem, choose to be helpful to yourself with positive self-talk, choose to be grateful and be intentional with your language choice. Not only will these tips help improve the human body holistically, but they’ll lead to and portray lasting benefits. These tips can result in lowering cortisol levels, the hormone that causes stress, leading to lower anxiety. It can also improve the immune system, reduce illness, create better coping skills and increase overall well-being and lifespan.
The power of words is impactful on the human body and its well-being. It’s critical to realize the effect words can have when approached in a positive or negative manner. Therefore, we must become conscious of this practice and commit to replacing the negative with the positive.