Can words really affect your health?
“Sticks and stones may break my bones… but names can never hurt me.”
Ah, the classic childhood chant Mum and Dad told me to say to fend off the unkind jabs from playground bullies.
But let’s be honest here — did it ever really work?
Those taunts can cut deeper than a knife, no matter how many times or how loudly I chanted my little mantra.
In fact, it felt like the more I shouted it, the more the words seemed to cling — like chewing gum on the bottom of your shoe on a hot day. Sticky and impossible to get rid of.
The epiphany of understanding
It wasn’t until I launched myself into learning Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) that I began to see why the bullies’ words hurt so much.
It turns out, language isn’t just something we use to communicate — it’s wired into our very neurology. Who knew that a few simple syllables could have such a powerful effect?
Well, maybe my inner child did, but she wasn’t talking.
How we ‘make sense’ of words
You might think of words as harmless little things. But your brain has other ideas. When you hear or see a word or a sentence your brain conjures up images, sounds, feelings, tastes, and smells to ‘make sense’ of it.
For example, when you hear the word “dog,” your brain might conjure up an image of a dog. You might hear a dog barking, feel the softness of a dog’s coat, or even recall that distinctive dog smell. Hopefully, there’s no taste involved, unless you’re thinking of a hotdog!
These internal sensory representations happen instantly. Often, you won’t even realise you’re making them.
The power of internal representations
These internal representations are more than just fleeting thoughts. They have a direct impact on how you feel. Imagine that a friend describes a mouth-watering chocolate cake — decadent, gooey, and freshly made.
Did you just make an image of that cake? Maybe even a whiff of its divine aroma? That’s you creating thoughts from the words you just read.
Before you know it, your stomach is growling like you haven’t eaten for a week.
But what if someone throws an insult your way?
The negative thoughts that result can lead to feelings of sadness, anger, and even physical discomfort. Your mental and physical responses are interconnected, so the feelings triggered by what you hear can also affect how your body responds.
How words affect your health
Over time, the impact of wounding words accumulates. Just like water dripping on a stone eventually leaves a mark, repeated criticism, whether it comes from other people or your own internal dialogue, can gradually affect your emotional wellbeing, self-esteem and stress levels.
Click play on the audio below to experience how strongly your body can respond to words., why not click play on the audio below? You’ll get a first-hand experience of how powerful words can be.
Positive words, positive results
Kind words, however, generally lead to positive internal representations, resulting in good feelings. It’s like giving your brain a gentle hug every time you hear something nice. (And who doesn’t love a good hug?)
Watch what you say!
I’m sure, deep down, you understand the impact of harsh language. And with new insights, you’ve got a better idea of how words can affect your health.
I’ll bet you’re already careful about what you say to others. But what about the words you say to yourself?
Whether you say words out loud or just let them roll around in your head, those words still have an impact.
Self-talk: the secret saboteur
Let’s be honest — most of us are our own worst critics. We say things to ourselves that we’d never dream of saying to someone we care about. (Unless you have a particularly twisted sense of humour, in which case, maybe we need to talk!) Imagine how you’d feel each evening if you’d spent the whole day telling yourself you’re not good enough, smart enough, or (insert favourite self-insult here).
Over time, habitual negative self-talk can reinforce emotional distress and contribute to ongoing stress, which can affect both your mental and physical health.It’s like planting weeds in your mental garden — they’ll eventually choke out the flowers.
The power of positive self-talk
On the other hand, positive conversations with yourself can give your mind a daily dose of sunshine. It’s not about being a Pollyanna — positive self-talk can genuinely contribute to good health and well-being.
Try ‘Steph’s Rule’
Only talk to yourself the way you’d talk to someone you really care about. Simple, right? And it can be surprisingly effective. Next time you catch yourself saying something unkind, ask yourself, “Would I say this to someone I cared about?” If the answer is no, then it’s time for some self-kindness.
Keys to understanding healthy language
- Words trigger Internal Representations: your way of ‘making sense’ of the world.
- Your internal representations can alter your emotional state: They can lift you up or weigh you down.
- Negative or critical words can trigger distressing internal representations: They can affect your health in the long-term.
- Supportive and encouraging language can help you create more useful internal representations.
I still catch myself slipping into critical self-talk. The other day, after a slight faux pas in the kitchen I shouted at myself out loud, “What hell did you do that for?” The difference is that I noticed it immediately, reminded myself that I’m still human — then laughed.
Ever noticed your mood shifting because of something small like language? It’s not just a random blip — it’s how your brain is wired to respond. If you’d like more help changing it, I think you find this post useful. Negative Self-Talk: How To Stop It, And Start Feeling Better
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Tags: Health and wellbeing, Language, Podcasts and audio tips, Self-talk
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