5 Reasons to Love Your Inner Critic Healthy
Kara Gordon Palley 
Every time you criticize yourself, you create a “real” bully that actually physically harms you. Let's make her into our greatest cheerleader!
5 Reasons to Love Your Inner Critic Healthy
We all hear it — that voice in our head that judges every single thing we do.
For many of us, the dialogue we have with our inner critic every day can be painful, scarring, and downright demoralizing. For most of us, this dialogue is automatic and in the background.
We aren’t even aware it is happening.
But it drives every single one of our decisions. So we need to learn how to not only silence it, but make it work for us!
The Science of negative self-talk
Physically speaking: We are our thoughts. We are our feelings.
Your brain is always in conversation with itself, whether that’s in words, images, or feelings. Most of the time, we’re just not aware of it.
Long-term psychological stress increases the hormones and cell signaling molecules that make you heavier, sicker, and weaker, and suppresses the hormones and cell signaling molecules that make you leaner, healthier, and stronger.
Stress literally damages your brain!
Cortisol released in stressful situations damages the hippocampus, which helps us learn, navigate around, and form memories.
Adrenaline released in stressful situations dumps sugar into the bloodstream which can cause inflammatory chemicals to form brain plaques, which contributes to diseases like Alzheimers.
Studies have found that negative self-talk and negative social judgement can often be physiologically worse than physical stress. Every time you criticize yourself, you create a “real” bully that actually physically harms you.
All that judgment grew out of our conscious and unconscious memories of fear and failure from childhood on.
Convert your inner critic into your best cheerleader
Self-talk is a habit - we can change it. Our brains are highly plastic, which means that we can create new brain pathways.
Since negative self-talk has negative effects, then positive self-talk has positive effects. IT IS REALLY THAT SIMPLE! Not easy, but simple.
Try giving your inner critic a name. I’m going to call mine Eeyore.
You remember the character from Winnie the Pooh, right? He’s a pessimistic, naysayer who always seemed to spout negativity. Eeyore is a stopper. Inevitably what he has to say is all about “not,” “can’t,” and “won’t”.
UGH I can even hear his voice.
Don’t let your Eeyore stop you!
I’m going to rename her Anita because she’s down for anything (and that was my mom’s name). Anita is going to be my inner cheerleader.
The trick is to love her.
It sounds impossible. I know. But try seeing her as an ally and not the enemy. After all, she is YOU. So just like you would with any other person you love, embrace the good AND the bad in her and cut her some slack.
Since this is new and probably uncomfortable, let’s give you some motivation and talk about five reasons to love your inner critic.
1. She has your best interests at heart.
It might be hard to believe, but all that criticism is really her way of trying to keep you out of what she perceives as a bad situation. She’s like that tactless, overzealous friend who thinks they know what’s best for you and discourages you from doing anything new. She wants to keep you from taking any risk that might end up getting you hurt. Her methods stink but her intentions are good.
2. She can make you better — at everything.
When your inner critic raises an objection, try not to cut her off. Let her say her piece and then explore what she is trying to do. Is she making any valid points? Is this a situation where caution might be a good idea? Are you making good choices for yourself?
Don’t argue with her just use the “stop” as an opportunity to assess your plan, your actions, and what you want. That kind of critical, reflective thinking is actually what takes an idea, or in this case your life, from “good” to “great.”
3. She knows you better than anyone else.
Your inner critic knows the real you — not what you show the world but the whole you, the beautiful mess. That’s why she can be so damaging, but it’s also why she can be your greatest ally.
4. Love puts YOU back in control.
As long as you are arguing with her or allowing her to run over you and bring you down, your inner critic has the reins. She is steering your destiny. When you embrace her and force her to use her powers for good, you’ll be able to calm her negativity and take back your life.
5. Your inner critic can help you lose weight!
Although having your inner critic on your side can definitely increase your happiness, here’s something you may not know, she can also help you lose weight. That’s right! When you successfully convert her into your cheerleader, she will be by your side encouraging you to make healthier choices, exercise regularly, and be the best you can be. Now, if that’s not the best reason to love her, then I don’t know what is!
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If you’re ready for a more in depth exploration of how to stop self-sabotage, get more motivation, and receive acceptance from a like-minded community of women, join me in my Facebook group Back To Basic Fitness - and let's convert that inner critic to inner cheerleader! Click here to join. Hope to see you there!
Categories: Thrive