From doubt to domination: 10 power hacks to silence your inner critic
Do you ever feel like a tiny voice inside your head is constantly criticising your every move? It certainly does for me!
This inner critic, the master of doubt and negativity, can hold you back from achieving your full potential. But fear not, fellow go-getters!
Here’s your action plan for silencing that voice and taking control…
1. Shhh… silence the negativity
Sometimes, all it takes is a little pause.
When those self-sabotaging thoughts creep in, acknowledge them, then gently shush them away… just say shhhhhh to your mind. 🤫
2. Happy slapping
Give EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) a try!
Tap the meridian points of your body to calm your negative thoughts and anxiety… tap your temple a few times, your forehead and so forth and repeat, you may find you cannot think of anything. I call it happy slapping! 👋
3. The power of connection
Science says a 20-second hug or 10 minutes of hand-holding releases oxytocin, the “love hormone,” which can reduce stress and sadness, (love, trust, empathy), blood pressure… so go hug a loved one or hold hands with a friend! 👭 Maybe even hug a tree or two.
4. Ground yourself
Take a few minutes of standing, a good posture, with your feet firmly planted. Stretch your arms high, feeling the connection to the ground as if your body is charging. This simple posture shift can boost your confidence and energy levels.
5. Your eyes tell a story
Did you know your eye movements reveal what you’re thinking?
NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming) can help you understand this powerful connection. Be conscious of where your eyes are at — they are cues for accessing what you are thinking. For example, if you’re looking down right, you are processing feelings/emotions. Looking down left, you are processing an internal dialogue. 👀
When you look up you are not likely to access sad thoughts, maybe that’s why they say chin up!
6. Anchor your happiness
Think of a happy memory and the emotions it evokes.
Create an “anchor” by touching a specific spot on your body, like your wrist, place your hand there and think of a happy time in your life or a really good day you had — go to that memory — bring to life all the senses of that memory. Keep your hand in place and only release when the memory subsides.
When you are struggling or any time you need a mood boost, simply touch that spot and recall that happy memory anchor. ⚓
7. Move your body
Exercise is a natural mood booster!
Just 20 to 30 minutes of cardiovascular exercises (I struggle to keep up with this one) can release endorphins, those feel-good chemicals that combat stress, elevate your mood and this can act as a stress reliever. ⛹🏽♂️🧠
8. Breathe easy
Take long deep breaths in and long deep breaths out — focusing on your breathing also helps calm the noise. 🧘🏽🧘🏻♀️
9. Gratitude is golden
Take a moment to write down (journaling) what you are grateful for; studies show gratitude can boost dopamine (pleasure) and serotonin (wellbeing) happy chemicals so keep those happiness champions in your brain active!
10. Fake it ’til you make It
If you smile even if you’re not feeling it, your brain cannot tell it’s a fake smile so keep smiling, myth or not, worth a try!
Plus, it takes more muscles to frown than it does to smile. 😁
Don’t do all of the above at the same time as you will look rather mad, but hey, they say madness is genius!!
Pick a few of the above wellbeing and mental health toolkits that work for you and stay on top of your game!
