By Amy Martin/reporter

“When you feel your mind moving too quickly, it’s time to back off and regain your bearings,” South Campus students were told last week.

Flo Stanton, health services coordinator, presented Positive Self-Talk March 5 as part of a Women in New Roles seminar series. An interactive session, Stanton asked questions and gave students the opportunity to make comments.

Stanton identified the language of downers versus uppers and said people use downers when they talk to themselves, such as “I never get things done” or “I always have to do something.”

When people use downers, Stanton said, they close their perception on things.

Stanton said “I can or I will” is an example of an upper, and one of the best uppers to use is “It is in my best interest to do something.”

Stanton also explained the difference between positive and negative self-talk. Positive or negative self-talk is learned at a young age, Stanton said. Negative self-talk increases distress and creates new stress as well as encourages self-destructive ways that further distress the body.

Stanton stated that positive self-talk can have the opposite effect.

Stanton said setting limits in one’s life will help someone with positive self talk and that people need to be their own best friend. Stanton said nothing stays the same, so people should not make that promise to themselves or other people around them.

Becoming aware of over extending is also important, Stanton said.

“When your schedule is getting out of hand,” she said, “it’s a signal that it’s time to slow down and reevaluate what’s important rather than power through everything on the list.”