By Jessica Vargas/reporter
The way people speak to themselves is often overlooked, a registered nurse told students last week.
Positive Self-talk, a South Campus health forum sponsored by health services and Women In New Roles program, addressed that topic Oct. 3.
Flo Stanton, coordinator of South health services, explained the importance and impact of self-talk.
“ The goal is to promote constructive thinking and behavior by saying something positive,” she said.
In everyday life, people often do not realize how negatively they speak to others and themselves, Stanton said.
“ We talk to ourselves, and how you talk to self is a reflection of how you were raised as a child,” she said. “Negative talk is learned by negativity.”
When self-talk is negative, it can often bring on stress and destruct self-esteem, Stanton said.
“ Positive self-talk can have the opposite effect, leading to a confident and positive attitude,” she said. “Be good to yourself.”
The objective of Positive Self-talk, Stanton said, was for students to become aware of when negative self-talk occurs by allowing students to participate in identifying “downers” and “uppers” in everyday language.
Chaka Ingram, South Campus and WINR student, said she learned to be more aware of self-talk.
“ I learned to be more positive for myself and more confident with myself and others,” she said.
The forum was an interactive session where students addressed personal ideas during a self-talk exercise.
Gladys Taylor, South Campus student, said she found the meeting enjoyable and useful.
“ It was helpful even for younger kids, something to enjoy,” she said. “Everyone needs positive points.”
