Words Matter Part 1

We have all heard the saying sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me. This saying couldn’t be farther from the truth, but how do the words we speak, more importantly the ones we say to ourselves affect us, and how does it pertain to nutrition?

A few months ago, I was at the gym when I noticed an elderly woman come into the locker room covered in sweat. If I had to guess, I would have thought she was no more than 70 years old. I struck up a conversation with her and asked her how the work out went. She told me with excitement that she ran faster today than what she had in years. I complimented her dedication and smiled at her with admiration. When she told me her age, my mouth dropped open. At 98 years old, she was still in the gym, driving herself around, and living independently. When I asked her what her secret was her response surprised me.

She told me everyday she declares Psalms 102:5 over her which in summary says, my youth is renewed like the eagles. For those of us that know nothing about eagles, I did a little research to find out what the Bible meant by this verse. Eagles can live up to the age of 70, however, when the eagle reaches the age of 40 it must make a painful decision. Due to its long nails, curved beak, and heavy feathers the eagle is not able to catch its prey or fly easily. The eagle must make a choice to die or undergo a painful process that lasts 150 days. The eagle must fly to the top of a mountain, smash its beak against the rock until it breaks, and pull out its claws. Once the new claws have grown in, the eagle must pluck out its old feathers. If the eagle chooses to do this, it can live for another 40 years.

The words we speak not only affect the people around us, but affect how we view ourselves, as well as our cognitive brain function. When we speak positive encouraging words over ourselves it encourages cognitive brain function. When we speak negative words over ourselves, we activate our fight or flight system that causes physical and emotional stress.

Dr Carolyn Leaf is a cognitive neuroscientist that has built her research on the power of the mind and its ability to change the brain. In her book she talks about how our words, thoughts and imagination can change the structure of our brain in every level. “If you realized how powerful your thoughts are you would never think a negative thought.” Dr Carolyn Leaf Switch on your Brain: The Key to Happiness, Thinking and Health.

Stay tuned for next weeks article, where I will explain how this pertains to nutrition and show you what you can do to help change the words you speak to align with you nutrition goals.