Toxic Words: Verbal Abuse Can Hurt You

"Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me" Remember that old saying that we used as kids to try to cope with name-calling? It probably wasn't very successful then, and in fact, just isn't true. We now know that words can hurt.

We always knew that words could hurt our feelings, but it turns out that words can have a profound effect on our bodies as well. Every cell in our body is eavesdropping on everything we say and everything that is said to us.

Studies by Dr. Masaru Emoto demonstrated that water molecules respond to the words that are used about them, changing their structure to respond to the message. If the message is positive and loving, the water molecule changes into beautiful crystalline patterns; if the message is negative, the water molecule becomes deformed and ugly.
Quantum Physics has shown us that we create our own possibilities in the universe, and that matter responds to us and changes in response to what we envision.

This is powerful. Since we are mostly water, think about the serious implications of being around negative people who use their words to put you down.

Mental health professionals know that people who are exposed to continual verbal abuse begin to believe what they are told, believing that they aren't worthy of being treated well, believing that they deserve to be belittled. In fact, if the cells of your body are listening in, and react to what they are being told, it follows that they may create disease or at least decrease their ability to fight it off.

It is vitally important to surround yourself with people who support you and encourage you to be your best. Quite literally, it can be a matter of life or death. While this may sound like an exaggeration, think for a moment about people you have known who have been in hostile, emotionally abusive relationships and the toll it has taken on their health.

If you have been surrounding yourself with people who belittle you and use words to attack you, consider how toxic this is for your health. Just as you wouldn't stay in an environment where you were breathing toxic chemicals--things that could make you sick or kill you--you shouldn't stay around people who use words in toxic ways.

As much as possible, avoid being around people who are negative toward you. No matter what their excuse is for it, it isn't good for you. If you can't avoid them completely, limit your time around them, and take steps to counteract the messages they send you by thinking positive thoughts and saying affirmations. Choose to spend time and be in relationships with people who support you and help you realize your wonderful potential. You'll live a much more joyful, healthy life!

(c) 2008 Linda S. Pucci, Ph.D.