The Times Australia

Health
The Times

How to reshape your inner voice according to a doctor

  • Written by Dr Christopher Robinson, Medibank Chief Medical Officer

In 2020, a reported 8.5 million Australians had experienced a mental illness at some time in their life1, and now new research2 by Medibank and parkrun has revealed one-in-five (20%) people surveyed constantly, or frequently engage in negative self-talk.

While we can sometimes tend to think negatively, it is important for us to use our inner voice to help promote a positive mindset and encourage greater wellbeing. Our inner voice can be an important tool that to can help change our thought process, and optimise our self-esteem.

Here are my top tips for helping Aussies reshape their inner thinking:

  1. Stop and reflect:

Next time you have a negative thought, take a moment to pause. Reflect on your thought process, and ask yourself: ‘Why am I thinking this way?’. Then, reshape the tone of your thought. For example, if you are out on a run, and think to yourself, ‘This is tough’, recognise the thought, then flip it to something more motivational, such as, ‘I’m capable’. Positive self-talk promotes resilience and can help to increase motivation.

  1. Change ‘I can’t’ to ‘I can’:

It sounds simple, but encouraging yourself to actively think in ‘I can’ statements, rather than ‘I can’t’, can help increase your self-esteem. Often we are more capable than we can give ourselves credit for.

  1. Take a breath:

In moments of stress and anxiety, it can be difficult to break a negative thought cycle. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or frustrated, take a deep breath, and count to ten. Sometimes taking a moment to pause is all it takes to shift your mindset. Breathing practice like box breathing is also a great technique that can help balance your emotions and increase positivity3.

  1. Treat yourself how you would your best friend:

You would never talk badly about your best friend, so why would you talk badly about yourself? Negative self-talk can become a habit, but for better wellbeing, it’s important to try to interrupt this pattern. While it won’t happen overnight, actively working to foster positive self-talk is a great step to improving your mindset.

Our inner voice can be an important psychological tool; I encourage you to nurture it, treat it with care, and above all be kind to yourself.

Dr Christopher Robinson is the Medibank Chief Medical Officer.

1 Australian Bureau of Statistics, ’National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing’, 2020-2022.

2 Conducted by Pureprofile between 15 and 18 January 2024 and commissioned by Medibank and parkrun. Sample of 1,006 Australians, aged 18 years and up. Full research available on request.

3 Balban, MY, Neri, E, Kogon, MM, Weed, L, Nouriani, B, Jo, B, Holl, G, Zeitzer, JM, Spiegel, D, Huberman, AD, 2023, ‘Brief structured respiration practices enhance mood and reduce physiological arousal’, Cell Reports Medicine, National Library of Medicine, 2023.

Times Lifestyle

Warning to Grey Nomads - Pop Top Caravan Hidden Risks

To pop or not to pop… that is the question. Hybrid pop top caravans are a popular choice for many caravanners, but ar...

How to Ensure You Don’t Miss Out on a Ticket for the Next Huge Ev…

It can be a moment of huge excitement when a concert or huge event is announced to be coming to a nearby venue. There are l...

Coast of Gold Bursts into Australian Market with Award-Winning Sh…

An Australian brand centred on authentic West African flavours is making massive waves in the premium foods and condiment...

Times Magazine

The Symbology Of Birthstones

Way back in the Middle Ages, the healers and wise men of the time thought that all gemstones held supernatural powers, a belief that continues on to this very day! The tradition still fascinates us, so let's examine the birthstones and the gift the...

The Science Behind Neodymium Magnets: How They Work and Why They’re So Powerful

In the world of magnets, neodymium magnets are the rock stars. Despite their small size, they are the big hitters. The power and performance of neodymium magnets make them essential in everything from earbuds to electric vehicles. But what exactly ...

The Ethical Considerations of AI Chatbots: Balancing Innovation with Responsibility

The rise of AI chatbots has dramatically transformed how businesses interact with customers. These intelligent tools can handle inquiries, provide support, and even personalize user experiences. However, with this innovation comes a host of ethical c...