Not a Whip, A Gingerbread!

Psychologists have such concepts - "positive reinforcement" and "negative reinforcement". Positive reinforcement is an event that coincides with an action and leads to an increase in the likelihood of its re-commissioning. In other words, this is the "gingerbread" that we reward ourselves for our good deeds and desired actions. Positive reinforcement, which may include praise, approval, small pleasures in the form of delicious food, pleasant purchases, etc., always causes positive emotions.
Negative reinforcement in the form of criticism or self-criticism, depriving oneself of small pleasures becomes a source of negative emotions.
According to psychologists, positive reinforcement is very effective in developing positive qualities, acquiring useful skills and skills.
When a small child begins to take the first steps, his parents always cheer and praise not only for success, but also for a failed attempt. "What a fine fellow you are," they say to him, "how well you go, I can not catch up with you!" And even if the child falls, they cheer him up and praise him.
But over time the picture changes, positive reinforcement becomes less and more negative, and more negative. For example, a schoolboy is often told: "Do not do homework - you will not go for a walk", "Do not go to college - go to the army." So the child is gradually fixed the habit of doing certain things in order to avoid trouble or punishment. And now an adult begins to influence himself with the help of a "whip", that is, negative reinforcement. As a result, he begins to lack positive emotions and an overabundance of negative, which sooner or later leads to stress or depression.
To change the situation, you need to learn to praise yourself, even for small successes, as once when we took the first steps, our parents praised us. It is necessary to take yourself for the rule: whatever we do, no matter what skill you acquire, you should often praise yourself. Positive reinforcement gives strength, helps to move forward, while self-flagellation blocks internal mechanisms of self-development.
To develop such a skill, psychologists recommend using food positive reinforcement. It can be a small piece of your favorite product, for example a piece of chocolate, an orange slice, a couple of nuts, yogurt, etc. Self-praise, backed by your favorite food, creates a powerful charge of positive energy, which is associated with the action that you want to consolidate or develop.
In addition to food reinforcement, you can use other, personally pleasing actions for you: it can be a walk, a small purchase, reading a good book, meeting with friends, etc.