You may not realize it, but what you say may affect your well-being more profoundly than you think.

The words and phrases you use can either boost or destroy your health. Research by famed German psychotherapist Nossrat Peseschkian supports this theory. It reveals that the negative things we say may introduce illness in our bodies.

How our language affects our body

There is a curious relationship between the words and phrases you use, your emotions and your body. So, how does it play out?

The scientific term for it is neuroplasticity. What this refers to is how messages transmit through the neural pathways in your brain. Each time a message goes through the same neural pathway, your perception of an event becomes clearer than before. A task, for example, becomes easier when you repeat it because the same message goes through the same neural pathway.

How does this relate to words and emotions? Words, too, send messages through our neural pathways. So saying, they alter your perceptions and determine your feelings. They guide your reactions to events.

Your feelings, in turn, will decide how your body feels. Recall your first date. You were excited and nervous at the same time. The excitement may have caused your body to tense up. Consequently, you fumbled and spilled water over your partner’s clothes.

The Organic Syndrome of Speech and the Peseschkian Table

Researcher Nossrat Peseschkian believes that the words and phrases we use affect our health. They impact you on a psychosomatic level. So saying, the wrong ones bring about diseases. He invented the term ‘the organic syndrome of speech.’

This ‘psychosomatic set‘ of harmful words includes ‘murderous,’ ‘all the juice squeezed out of me,’ and ‘knife straight to the heart.’ They conjure disturbing images, so it is not surprising that they cause digestive, heart and breathing problems. You may use them liberally, without being aware of how destructive they are.

Nossrat Peseschkian put these words into a table known as the Table Peseschkian.

Here are some words, expressions and phrases that he suggests lead to specific illnesses.

1. Words that lead to Anorexia Nervosa

First of all, if you know someone who is suffering from Anorexia, Peseschkian recommends that you do not speak to him or her using words that induce vomiting.

a. Tired ad nauseam
b. With soul gate
c. Sick of it

2. Words Related to Osteochondrosis

For those who are not familiar, Osteochondrosis refers to a misalignment and degeneration of bones. These are the words that Peseschkian feels may lead to the disease.

a. Shoulder the burden of care
b. Bear the Cross
c. Sitting on my neck



3. Words Related to the Respiratory Tract

Peseschkian also points to some words that may affect the way a person breathes.

a. Find an outlet
b. Sneeze

4. Words Related to high blood pressure

You may also want to avoid these words because they may trigger a person’s high blood pressure.

a. Let off steam
b. I have run out of patience

5. Words Related to Cancer

Do you know someone with cancer? Practice a little tact and avoid using these words.

a. Something is eating me
b. It is poisoning my life
c. Tired to death

6. Words Related to the Genitourinary System

You may also have someone in your life who experiences problems in his or her urinary tract. These are the words you may not want to use.

a. Something is sitting in his kidney
b. Pee in his head struck

7. Words Related to Heart Problems

If someone in your life has a heart condition, do avoid using these words and phrases.

a. My heart breaks or My heart just breaks
b. Stabbed in the heart

8. Words Related to Migraines and Headaches

Does someone you know suffer from persistent migraines? Do not frustrate him or her with these remarks.

a. The whole head broke
b. I am risking my head
c. Beat my head against the wall

9. Words Related to Obesity and Liver Problems

Also, some words may affect a person with weight problems. They may compound a person’s liver damage. The liver is the organ that manages fat.

a. It pains me
b. I devoured the entire liver
c. No joy

10. Words Related to Vision Problems

Do you know anyone with visual challenges? Here are some words you want to avoid saying to him or her.

a. I wish I did not see
b. Scary looking

11. Words Related to Hearing Problems

Finally, you may want to avoid using these words when you speak to someone with weak hearing.

a. I do not want to hear
b. My ears are burning

How Your Speech May Affect Others

It is easy to speak impulsively in a fit of anger. You may shout at an annoying neighbor using words like ‘Are you blind?‘ It is useless to apologize because your words have already done damage. Your neighbor may indeed suffer from conjunctivitis because of your quarrel.

Your subconscious does not consider what you mean by your words, so it begins to wear the body down. Illnesses may set in as a result.

Watch Your Words and Phrases

The thought that every word you utter can affect your health and that of others is scary. So how would you avoid the consequences of poor speech? Do not use negative words, of course.

Try not to utter words that refer to illness or disease, such as ‘she died of a broken heart.’ Teach others about the importance of speaking positively, and introduce them to the Organic Syndrome of Speech. Do so even if you meet with resistance because you want to reduce the consequences of negative speaking.

How to Improve Your Emotional Health

Most people tend to use negative words and phrases in the heat of the moment. You may utter words of hate and distress because of your anger. Control your emotions so that you can speak positively. It stands to reason that you should keep your emotional health in order.

1. Seek Support

You must, first of all, have people who will lift you when you fall. Have a group of friends so that you can talk to them when there is a need.

2. Gain knowledge

Learn more so that you can better your emotional health. Knowing more about the problems you face will help you overcome them.

3. Exercise

Furthermore, exercise releases endorphins. It works as well as, if not better than medication to relieve depression. It is an incredible tool for combating stress.

4. Find a hobby.

And then, think about what drives you. Passions and hobbies help you set new goals. They are also ways to boost self-esteem.

5. Manage your weight

Also, being trim will boost your self-esteem. Eat and drink moderately because weight management is important for your emotional well-being.

6. Practice time management.

Another tip for enhancing your emotional health is to manage your time. Prioritize your tasks so that you can reduce headaches.

7. Sleep well.

The next emotional health booster is to get enough sleep. Rest well because feeling tired adds to the stress of tasks.

8. Say no

Finally, learn to say no. A person becomes frazzled because he stretches himself too thin.

Therefore, the right words and phrases determine your emotions and, in turn, your well being.

References:

  1. https://www.td.org/
  2. http://www.pon.harvard.edu/
  3. http://www.everydayhealth.com/

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