Today, we’re talking about how positive language can improve your mindset and mental health, and how fashion can help get us there. Kimberly Wilkerson of Token Clothing Company™ is today’s featured writer. Keep reading for a way get your own set of friendly PJs that boost her attitude.
Think for a moment about how to complete this: “I am ____.”
How would you fill in the blank? Remember, what follows ‘I am’ follows you.
So, what word or phrase would you place behind the most creative and powerful three-letter statement we have in our human language?
Words can damage your mindset and mental health
Do you remember the decades-old saying we used as children when they sounded a rude horror towards us?
“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.”
We tried to be brave with this comeback, but the response masked the truth. Words hurt us. And words strengthen us, heal us and transform us. In short, language effects are powerful and words matter. Always. And it’s not just words that are spoken to us. They are words spoken around us (consider TV shows/movies, news reports, podcasts/radio conversations, etc.). They are words, we think. We are words say. We are words write.
And they are words we wear.
So, I’m giving away a deluxe set Pajamas with a Purpose™ to one of you, dear readers. Read to learn how to enter the giveaway.
Negative language effects
Think of this two-letter word: “No.”
As evidenced in “Words Will Change Your Brain” [Newberg A. & Waldman, M., 2012]if you were in a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scanner that measures brain activity by detecting changes related to blood flow while reading the word “no,” you would immediately see a significant increase in amygdala activity and the release of stress-producing hormones and neurotransmitters which increase hheart rate and blood pressure and disrupt the normal functioning of areas of the brain involved with reason, logic, language processing and communication.
The word “no” is an important word and may need to be used in certain situations. For example, in a fight-or-flight situation, we know that our body ramps up our ability to handle a threat, and increased blood pressure and heart rate are a necessary response.
The linguistic implications here are profound. The word “no” is also a negative word that produces an immediate neurological response that affects our entire physiology. Prolonged exposure to negative words is associated with increased hostile behavior that is a risk factor for increased morbidity, mortality, depression, and divorce.
Positive language effects
But there are also positive linguistic effects. Consider these words: hope, optimism, joy, love, gratitude, compassion, truth, peace, humility, and forgiveness.
Using an fMRI scanner, we would see your amygdala and emotional centers in the brain calm down as you focus on these positive words. Even the word “yes” would show similar results.
Focusing on positive thoughts and words stimulate the motivation areas of your brain responsible for moving you into action. As you practice staying relaxed and repeatedly focusing on positive words, anxiety and depression tend to decrease and the number of unconscious negative thoughts tends to decrease.
As neuroscientist and physician Andrew Newberg concluded with his team’s brain-scanning research,
“. . . Concentration and focus on positive thoughts, feelings, and outcomes can be more powerful than any drug in the world, especially when it comes to changing old habits, behaviors, and beliefs.”
(Newberg, 2012, p.35)
Mental health, self-talk and positive affirmations
When looking at the effects of chronic illness on mental health, research points to the benefits of intentional, positive, self-affirming language practices.
For example:
- A 2021 study with groups of people experiencingPsoriasis examined the effects of a brief self-affirmation intervention related to depression, anxiety, and well-being. The results showed significantly greater improvement in the course of well-being, depressive symptoms, and anxiety two weeks after the intervention and at a one-month follow-up.
- A Study of 2023 people with chronic pain Indicative self-affirmations are associated with better psychosocial health, including depression, anxiety, anger, and social isolation.
- Research also suggests Positive self-talk and affirmations can activate brain systems that restore confidence when threatened and improve education, health and relationship outcomes that persist for months and years.
Positive Effects of Language Water?
Before you read this next passage, keep in mind our body is about 60% water. . .
The Japanese researcher Dr. Masaru Emoto, who has extensively studied the impact of language on the properties of water around the planet, recognized that water formations can probably change naturally as they are affected by positive or negative words.
In his research, Dr. Emoto placed written, positive words and phrases (e.g., “thank you,” “love and gratitude,” “wisdom”) in several languages into containers of water with the chosen words facing the water samples, then froze the water so they formed ice crystals that could be photographed and observed. Follow the same process using negative words and phrases (eg, “Stupid!” “You’re making me sick.” “I’m going to kill you.”).
The observed effects of water exposed to negative words were malformed and malformed crystals. Water exposed to positive words produced beautiful and intricate crystals.
While the water crystal studies of Dr. Emoto have faced scientific criticism, the idea of words shaping outcomes resonates deeply with many.
Awareness of the words we think and say to ourselves, as well as to others, must be increased. As we put energy and effort into intentional words each day, we will have intentional results.
Can fashion really improve your mindset and mental health?
I believe it can.
As a specialist in communication and language disorders (I’m a speech pathologist) and an entrepreneur who wanted to promote mental wellness outcomes, I founded the fashion label Token Clothing Company™ two years ago, intentionally focused on using fashion as a platform to share the science behind from the language. We create products that provide customers with a transformative experience in their mindset, resulting in increased self-love, self-esteem and confidence.
As clothing is a basic necessity and daily requirement of life in the United States and in most parts of our world, I (and leaders in the fashion industry) have a unique opportunity to use what could be considered casual – getting dressed every day — to improve and benefit society in the area of mental health and wellness, creating a ripple effect among people of all ages, races, ethnicities and cultures.
To learn more about us Pajamas With Purpose™, see here.
Intelligent Fashion™ uses words to shape mindset and mental health
Intelligent Fashion™ is apparel that applies neuroscience and positive psychology data to improve mindset and turn negatives into positive outcomes for the wearer. Artists, creators, leaders and contributors can incorporate the scientific strategy of Intelligent Fashion™ in many ways that allow freedom of expression in design to benefit and delight both the creator and the wearer, while improving mental health and well-being of both.
Research shows that some effective strategies for overcoming self-criticism include practicing self-love, self-esteem, self-acceptance, and self-forgiveness – and these should be practiced daily. It only makes sense to merge these practices with a task we already do every time: wearing clothes.
Using positive language to improve your mental health
You and I can each take a step toward increasing mental well-being by using positive language. Whether it’s wearing clothes that transform, talking to the mirror every morning and night with kind and compassionate language, ending violent and negative language in our environment, or writing down the positive moments we experienced in our day, we have the ability to change our outcomes as we use positive language.
A gift that shows the power of language
I want to give away a pair to one lucky person Pajamas with a Purpose™ — via Token Clothing Company™ — featuring powerful self-affirmations that touch your skin (remember the inward-looking words in Emoto’s water experiments). Pajama tops are reversible and can be read by the wearer (in the mirror) and the observer. In this way, you can improve your mindset as well as influence the mindset of friends and family.
These PJs are also super soft, luxurious and combine gorgeous fabric and timeless design with Intelligent Fashion™ to elevate your mindset and infuse you with the power to dream. Available in lavender or blue, in sizes XS-XL.
To enter to win, simply do the following:
- Leave a comment here with your thoughts on this post and include a link to where you shared this post on social media.
- Please make sure your email address is correct so we can contact you if you win.
For additional entries, go to Instagram and follow the instructions there.
You will be able to choose the color and size if you win.
This contest is open to those in the United States until November 30thu2024. We will contact the winner on December 1stSt2024.
About Kimberly Wilkerson
After years of studying the power of communication as a speech pathologist, Kimberly Wilkerson launched Token Clothing Company™, a brand that elevates the everyday work of wearing clothes to create a mindset-building, love-inspiring experience by combining gorgeous fabrics and timeless blueprint with neuroscience and positive psychology data to turn negative into positive user outcomes.
Kimberly’s personal journey of elevating her mindset and overcoming limitations influenced her transition from clinician to fashion entrepreneur. She loves to share how the power of language can affect any person.
Kimberly currently resides in Idaho and loves spending time with family and friends in the great outdoors, except in late winter when she escapes to the tropics for snorkeling and diving.
