The power of positive language
At the risk of sounding a bit woo-woo, positive language and positive vibes really can make a. humongous difference in the way we interact with ourselves, and the world. Within the health and wellness space, this also reigns true.
As providers of health, whether this be medical or allied health professionals, exercise instructors, coaches (and so on), we do what we do so that we can help others. Even with the most incredible set of “hard skills” (expert surgical hands, incredible knowledge on complex conditions, ability to design and implement exercise programs for a range of individuals), you’re only going to be somewhat effective if you can’t nail the “soft skills”. The effectiveness of the intervention will be limited if the delivery is poor.
When we think about things that we can do, or may be able to do, we tend to feel a whole lot better about things compared to if we think about things we can’t do.
Positive reinforcement or positive language, otherwise referred to as strength-based language, refers to communication that links to what the individual can do and does know. This kind of language naturally encourages individuals to think more positively about possibilities and potential outcomes.
Acknowledging the individual at the centre of our communication is pivotal; any other things they may be experiencing are secondary. For example, “the diabetic ” vs “someone who has diabetes” or “the disabled person” vs “the person who has a disability”. This allows the individual to be separate from their experiences (especially important if they are dealing with unpleasant circumstances), and acknowledges that the individual has the ability to evolve and grow (e.g. “the person with the bad wrists” vs “the person who is working through a wrist injury”).
It’s important to note that the acknowledgement of the positive effect of positive language doesn’t mean that we need to pretend nothing negative exists. Rather, we re-frame challenges in a way that is reassuring, inspiring, and flexible. It promotes a positive outlook and the potential for improvement.
Below are some examples of how to identify negative language and adjust it to positive language in the setting of healthcare delivery.
Healthcare provider
Negative language
You aren’t doing enough exercise
Your ankle is too weak to run on
You aren’t doing your rehab exercises enough
Don’t let your shoulders lift
Positive language
It would benefit you a lot if we could find a way to start to increase your physical activity, what do you think could be possible to begin with? Perhaps getting off the bus one stop early and walking a slightly longer distance home
A high intensity activity like running requires a lot of strength and power in the ankle, let’s continue to improve this so we can get you running safely and sustainably
I understand life is very busy and there are a number of barriers to completing your rehab exercises; let’s talk about some strategies to try and reduce the mental and physical tax of figuring out how to do these e.g. practice your single leg balance while brushing your teeth
Can you try to keep your shoulders in “this” position
We can also think about this positive bias language in the context of exercise delivery whether it be 1:1 or in a class environment. When we are cueing clients we need to be concicse, intentional, and positive. Particulary in this age of the fitness space, which already has arguably too big of a focus on “fixing” oneself, the last thing we want to do as exercise instructors is unintentionally make our clients feel uncomfortable or not good enough.
Below are some examples of how to identify negative language and adjust it to positive language in the setting of exercise delivery.
Pilates instructor
Negative language
Don’t let your leg drop
If your wrists hurt, move to your forearms
You can drop back to the beginner option at anytime
Positive language
Can you lift your leg any higher
You can perform this exercise on your forearms or your hands, whatever feels best to you
Remember we have our layers and variations of the exercise, take whichever work for you and leave whichever don’t
In summary, using positive language allows and encourages individuals to feel empowered. They can acknowledge their strengths, their capacity for growth and evolution, and rid themselves of negative or self-limiting beliefs. As healthcare providers, our goal is more than just providing services; it's about motivating our clients to improve and evolve. By reviewing how we communicate, we can find ways to improve. This thoughtful approach enhances the care we give and strengthens our relationships with clients, resulting in more positive health outcomes. Let's keep working on this improvement, making sure our communication is as effective and inspiring as the care we aim to provide.
