Discover how your daily vocabulary shapes your mental wellbeing and learn simple techniques to use the power of positive language for lasting emotional balance.
Ever wonder why some days feel lighter than others, even when circumstances haven’t changed? The secret might lie in something as simple as the words we use. Recent research in psycholinguistics and neuroscience reveals that our choice of words doesn’t just express our mental state – it actively shapes it.
The Science Behind Word Power
Some of the most powerful evidence of the effects that words have on our health, our quality of life and our emotions come across vividly in the research done on water by Doctor Emoto (featured in the movie “What The Bleep Do We Know!!!”) After all, our bodies comprise of somewhere between 70% to 95% water so it makes sense that whatever affects water would indeed affect us. Dr. Masaru Emoto’s groundbreaking research on water crystallization patterns demonstrated how words and intentions can physically alter water’s molecular structure. While some scientists debate the methodology, more recent studies in neurolinguistics support the fundamental concept that language affects our physical state. A 2015 UCLA study found that labeling emotions with specific words can reduce amygdala activity, effectively calming the brain’s fear center.
There is a special combination words that seem to be the highest of all vibrations, love plus the combination of thanks and appreciation. Just one of these is not enough. Love needs to be based in appreciation, and thankfulness needs to be based in love. These words together create a strong and beautiful vibration.
Your Daily Word Diet
Just as we mind what we eat, we should mind what we say. Here’s why it matters: Neural pathways strengthen with repetition. When we repeatedly use negative language, we’re essentially training our brains to default to negative thinking patterns. The words we choose trigger corresponding biochemical responses. Positive language can boost serotonin production, while negative language can increase cortisol levels. One of the easiest and most empowering ways that we’ve come across to effect dramatic change is to pay attention for a moment to: What we LISTEN to. What we WATCH. What we SAY. What we THINK about. What we DO. How we FEEL.
What are you doing each day? Do you listen to or indulge in gossip? What about music with negative lyrics? Do you read sad or depressing stories that make you feel bad? Are you watching violence, anger and rage displayed? Do you think mostly about problems (yours or other peoples)? All of these things effect how we FEEL on a moment by moment basis, and you know it! Next time you read, listen to or watch the news, ask yourself,
How is what I am hearing, thinking, saying, seeing, doing and feeling affecting my life on a day to day basis? As you break down the individual components of that question, in the answer lies a new direction you could choose to adopt to effect dramatic change for your life.
How do you describe what is happening in your life to other people? Do you complain, talk about the problems, over-dramatize your stories, blame someone or something else for the way you are feeling? All of these things effect HOW you feel in every moment — and you know it!
The next time that someone asks you , “How are you today?” what will you say? How will you talk about yourself and describe your day? One of the easiest and most rewarding ways to answer that very question is in the form of an expression of thankfulness. Here are some examples:
✽ I’ve had a really bad day, but I’m thankful that it’s over now.
✽ I didn’t get all my work done, yet I’m thankful that I can get to it tomorrow.
✽ I’m feeling terrible at the moment and I’m thankful that I’ll feel better soon. Getting the gist?
Change Your Vocabulary, Improve Your Day
Start with these simple practices:
The Appreciation Reframe
Instead of saying “I’m stressed about work,” try “I’m learning to handle new challenges.” This isn’t just positive thinking – it’s strategic language that activates problem-solving parts of your brain rather than stress responses.
The Thankful Pause
Before responding to “How are you?” take a breath and find one thing to appreciate. Even in difficult moments, you might say, “I’m facing some challenges, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to grow.”
Making It Stick
The key to lasting change isn’t perfection – it’s consistency. Start with a 30-day commitment to notice and adjust your language patterns. Research shows it takes about 21 days to form a new habit, but we recommend 30 days to ensure the changes take root.
Moving Forward
The journey to more mindful speech is ongoing. Here are some practical ways to deepen your practice:
1. Keep a Word Journal: Track the words you use most often and their emotional impact
2. Practice Mindful Listening: Notice how others’ word choices affect your mood
3. Create Positive Anchors: Develop personal mantras that resonate with your goals
Use Words To Start Some Fun New Daily Rituals
Every word you speak is a choice – and each choice is an opportunity to create a more balanced, peaceful state of mind. Because you have read this far you are probably expressing lots of love, thanks and appreciation in your everyday life already. Yet, if you’d like to be encouraged to adopt it as a daily ritual, we welcome you to play ‘The Appreciation Game’ and have a better look at what we are up to. We invite you to be involved in this experiment. It takes less than 5 minutes per day to write down some things you are appreciate — do this for 30 days and watch your life change —the value is priceless but the cost to you is FREE.
🌟 Tell Us What You Appreciate Here 🌟
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