South coordinator teaches students positive self-talk

By Amara Russell/reporter

The South Campus health services coordinator taught positive self-talk to students last week.

Flo Stanton presented Positive Self Talk to the Women of the New Roles members Oct. 7. She demonstrated with slideshows and exercises, encouraging audience participation.

Stanton said she wanted to change the way people think and to promote constructive thinking and behavior by saying something positive.

“Stop beating yourself up,” she said.

Stanton asked the audience to identify the language of “downers versus uppers.”

“What are you saying to yourself?” she asked. “Are you speaking negative thoughts or positive thoughts when faced with an unwanted circumstance?”

People should change their words, saying to themselves, ”It’s in my best interest,” Stanton said.

By making such comments, she said people can change their attitude.

Stanton asked everyone to think about what they say to themselves.

One student said she wanted to be a nurse. Because the ratio is 5-1, she said she feels her goal is impossible.

“It’s not impossible if you really want it,” Stanton said. “Find the positive in the outcome.”

When another student said she thought it was impossible just to get eight hours of sleep, the other students laughed.

Negative self-talk increases distress, Stanton said. The effect that it has on the body is negative.

“Stop blaming yourself and stop making excuses,” she said.

Stanton said when self-talk is positive, things work out.

“Stop saying ‘I can’t,’ and start saying ‘I can,’” she said. “If you grew up believing you’ll never get it right, then that’s what you will always believe.”

Stanton told the students to start believing in themselves.