Mental Health Week: Harness the Power of Positive Self-Talk
Mental Health Week is a great reminder that looking after our minds is just as important as looking after our bodies.
Life can feel like a bit of a juggling act sometimes, balancing work, family, relationships, and self-care, and it’s easy for our own needs to get pushed to the bottom of the list.
This week is a gentle nudge to pause, check in with yourself, and take little steps toward looking after your mental wellbeing.
It’s also a perfect time to notice your inner voice. The way we talk to ourselves shapes how we feel, how motivated we are, and our overall sense of wellbeing. Every kind, encouraging word you say to yourself really does make a difference.
We’re often so loving and supportive toward others, yet when it comes to ourselves, that same compassion can vanish.
Most of us know that quiet, critical voice that whispers, “You’re not doing enough” or “You’re falling short.” Those words can either lift us up or drag us down.
Mental Health Week is a perfect chance to shift that inner conversation and become your own cheerleader.
As a life coach and NLP practitioner, Beck says, "I’ve seen just how much our words, even the ones we think in our heads, can shape our mindset.
When we choose thoughts that empower rather than criticise, we start building an inner space where growth, calm, and confidence can flourish, a space that supports the women we’re becoming."
Why Your Words Matter
I still find it amazing that our minds generate around 60,000 to 70,000 thoughts every day.
The key thing to remember is that a large portion of these thoughts, some estimates say up to 95%, are repetitive or automatic, running on autopilot.
In my own life, I notice just how many of those thoughts aren’t always kind.
Our minds are naturally wired to focus on what might go wrong because that helped our ancestors survive. But in today’s world, it can leave us feeling anxious, stressed, or not good enough.
Becoming aware of your inner dialogue is such a powerful first step. When you notice those automatic negative thoughts and gently reframe them, you start retraining your mind. It’s like updating an old computer program that no longer serves you and installing one that supports your growth, calm, and confidence.
Have you ever noticed that when you start making small, positive changes in the way you speak to yourself, it begins to ripple out into other areas of your life?
Once you start doing this for yourself, you’ll often notice a shift not just in how you feel, but in how you notice others speaking to themselves too. It’s a beautiful reminder that kindness, especially the kind we show ourselves, is truly contagious.
Rewiring Your Inner Radio Station
I like to think of self-talk as your personal radio station. If you’re tuned into the “Not Good Enough FM” frequency, you’ll keep hearing messages that drain your energy and motivation.
But when you change the station to something more empowering, like “I’ve Got This Radio,” everything shifts. The messages you receive become supportive, encouraging, and help you feel more calm, confident, and capable.
For example, instead of saying, “I can’t do this,” try saying, “I’m learning as I go.” That small shift changes the energy behind your words, moving you from frustration to possibility.
The Power of “I Am” Statements
One of the simplest yet most powerful tools in positive self-talk is using the words “I am.” These two little words carry huge energy because your mind interprets what follows as a statement of truth about you.
When you say “I am capable,” your brain begins to accept that as part of your identity. When you say “I am worthy of love and care,” you are literally reinforcing your value.
Think of “I am” statements as planting seeds in your mind. What you plant and nurture will grow.
If you often say, “I am not enough,” or “I am tired,” those beliefs take root.
But if you intentionally say, “I am strong,” “I am resilient,” or “I am making progress every day,” you are feeding your mind with empowering truths that support your growth and wellbeing.
Here are a few ways we might use “I am” statements in everyday moments:
When facing a stressful work task: “I am focused and capable of handling this challenge.”
When managing family life and feeling stretched: “I am doing my best, and that is enough.”
When staying consistent with wellness habits: “I am committed to my health and wellbeing, one step at a time.”
You can even combine “I am” with your personal power phrases or mantras.
For example:
“I am calm, focused, and capable.”
“I am proud of the progress I am making.”
“I am deserving of self-care and joy.”
Using “I am” statements consistently is a subtle but transformative way to rewire your inner dialogue and create a mindset that lifts you up instead of holding you back.
5 Simple Ways to Reframe Your Inner Voice
If you’re on a health and wellness journey, the way you speak to yourself matters just as much as the choices you make for your body. As mentioned, your inner dialogue can either lift you up or weigh you down, so learning to nurture it is a powerful step toward feeling strong, confident, and supported every day. Here are five simple ways to start:
Catch and Reframe
Pay attention to when your inner voice turns negative. When you notice it, gently ask yourself, “Is this really true?” or “What’s a kinder way to see this?” You might be surprised at how quickly your mind responds with compassion when invited to shift perspective.
Anchor in the Present
When stress, worry, or self-doubt starts creeping in, pause and repeat a grounding phrase like:
“I am here. I am safe. I am doing my best.”
These simple words can calm your nervous system and bring you fully into the present moment, helping you regain clarity and focus.
Celebrate Effort, Not Perfection
It’s easy to feel discouraged when things don’t go perfectly, but your progress matters more than perfection. Try saying:
“I’m proud of myself for showing up today.”
Acknowledging your effort rather than criticising yourself can make a world of difference in how you feel and how motivated you stay.
Speak as You Would to a Friend
Imagine talking to a friend you love and admire. Would you be harsh or critical? Probably not. Treat yourself with that same warmth. Instead of saying, “I stuffed that up,” try saying, “I’m human, and I’m learning.” Your inner voice can become a supportive ally rather than a harsh critic.
Create Your Personal Power Phrase
Choose a short, uplifting mantra that feels like you. Some examples you might try are:
“I’ve got this”
“I choose calm”
“I am enough”
“I am worthy of love and care”
“I am stronger than I think”
“I trust myself to handle this”
“I am making progress every day”
Write your mantra somewhere you’ll see it each day so it becomes a gentle reminder that you are capable, resilient, and moving forward. You could write it on your mirror, stick it to the fridge, or even put it on your phone or computer screen, anywhere that will catch your eye and lift you up.
Take a Moment for You
Pause for a minute and check in with your inner voice. What’s it saying? Is it cheering you on or being a little too critical? Is it speaking with kindness or pressure? Just noticing is the first step to making a change. From there, you can start shaping your words and your world with intention.
And remember, it’s totally normal to have days when you don’t feel your best. Some days you might feel tired, stressed, or a bit off, and that’s completely okay. Those days aren’t failures; they’re gentle signals from yourself, reminding you to slow down, be kind, and give yourself the care you need.
Your Inner Cheerleader
This Mental Health Week, let’s promise to talk to ourselves with the same love and care we give to others. Every kind thought, every gentle reframe, every encouraging word counts.
And let’s not wait for Mental Health Week to come around again to do it. Keep checking in with yourself, keep speaking kindly, and keep cheering yourself on. Think of your self-talk as your personal cheerleader. Make it a voice that lifts you up, reminds you of your strength, and helps you see just how capable you really are.
You deserve that kindness, not just this week but every week.
Zing Wellbeing prides itself on supporting women with an overall health and wellness program, we have various resources available to support your mental health and provide you with the knowledge to make the changes you need to live a better life.