Wise Speech: Mindful Communication Techniques for Stress Reduction

(cursor clicks) (bright music) Headspace Studios. (rain pattering) (gentle music) Hello, it's Eve here with you. Welcome back to Radio Headspace and to Tuesday. In yesterday's episode, we explored some of the fundamental philosophies of meditation and mindfulness. This idea that as humans, a lot of our stress can come from wanting things to be different than they are. Today, we're going to explore how our communication can play a major role in how we navigate the stresses that life throws at us. When it comes to communication skills, it's often referred to as wise speech, which is a way of communicating that's beneficial to ourselves and everyone around us. I'm sure all of us can think of a time when we've used our words in an unhelpful way. Recently, something had been bothering me about a close family member. And it was a sensitive subject, but instead of thinking through how to approach it in a thoughtful and caring way, I sort of just blurted out my thoughts. And it was one of those situations where I knew it was wrong as I was saying it, but still said it, and they ended up being quite hurt. We had a conversation and I apologized for not handling it better and we worked it out. But you can see how easily this can happen. We might not even realize that what we said could have a negative impact on someone, especially if we think we are right and doing it to help them. And it's not just about how we communicate outwards. As individuals, we also need to cultivate wise and kind speech towards ourselves as well. As I mentioned in an episode last week, around 80% of our thinking tends to be more negative in nature, which over time can lead to low self-esteem and a lack of self-worth, which of course, can affect how we communicate. You see, it's all interconnected. At its core, wise speech is really centered on avoiding harmful speech like lying, gossiping, or speaking harshly about someone else or yourself. Instead, can we speak truthfully and with kindness in a way that feels constructive? Sometimes we need to tell someone a truth that might be hard for them to hear. Speaking wisely is not just about not saying the hard things, but rather about saying things in a supportive, constructive, and calm manner. When I've talked to my meditation teacher about wise speech, he said that the following can be a really helpful barometer when it comes to our communication and how we use our words. Is it true? Is it useful? Is it kind? Is it the right time? And am I supposed to say it? The value and impact of wise speech increases when we extend it into our communities. Communicating with openness and honesty, building trust, promoting empathy and compassion are just some of the ways in which wise speech can promote understanding and reduce conflict in communities. The ability to...