Talking to yourself alone? Psychology says your brain may actually be working smarter
Do you talk to yourself while working, cooking or trying to solve a problem? Psychology says this habit may be more than a quirky behaviour. Speaking your thoughts aloud can help organise ideas, improve focus and make it easier to work through difficult problems.
If you have ever caught yourself saying, "Okay, where did I keep my keys?" or explaining a problem out loud to absolutely no one, don't panic. Your brain may simply be trying to think more clearly.
Psychology suggests that talking to yourself, or self-talk, can help with focus, motivation and problem-solving. A review of 47 studies found beneficial effects linked to positive, instructional and motivational self-talk.
YOUR OWN VOICE CAN ACT LIKE A MENTAL CUE
When you say a thought out loud, it is no longer just an abstract idea floating around in your head. You hear it.
That extra verbal cue may help your brain organise information and stay focused on what it is doing. Research has also linked self-talk with cognitive performance, with studies exploring how it may influence brain networks involved in attention and thinking.
This is why people often talk themselves through tasks. "First, send the email. Then call the bank." It may sound silly, but your brain is essentially turning a messy thought into a sequence.
THE WORDS YOU USE MATTER
Psychology also suggests that how you talk to yourself can make a difference. In one set of experiments, people who gave themselves advice using "you" showed better performance on a problem-solving task than those using "I".
So instead of thinking, "I can't do this," try asking, “How can you solve this?”
NO, IT DOESN'T MEAN YOU ARE LOSING IT
Talking to yourself out loud is generally a common behaviour. The next time someone catches you having a full conversation with yourself, you may simply be working through a thought in the most direct way possible.
So yes, your imaginary meeting with yourself might actually be a small brainstorming session. And honestly, you may be your most available colleague.
If you have ever caught yourself saying, "Okay, where did I keep my keys?" or explaining a problem out loud to absolutely no one, don't panic. Your brain may simply be trying to think more clearly.
Psychology suggests that talking to yourself, or self-talk, can help with focus, motivation and problem-solving. A review of 47 studies found beneficial effects linked to positive, instructional and motivational self-talk.
YOUR OWN VOICE CAN ACT LIKE A MENTAL CUE
When you say a thought out loud, it is no longer just an abstract idea floating around in your head. You hear it.
That extra verbal cue may help your brain organise information and stay focused on what it is doing. Research has also linked self-talk with cognitive performance, with studies exploring how it may influence brain networks involved in attention and thinking.
This is why people often talk themselves through tasks. "First, send the email. Then call the bank." It may sound silly, but your brain is essentially turning a messy thought into a sequence.
THE WORDS YOU USE MATTER
Psychology also suggests that how you talk to yourself can make a difference. In one set of experiments, people who gave themselves advice using "you" showed better performance on a problem-solving task than those using "I".
So instead of thinking, "I can't do this," try asking, “How can you solve this?”
NO, IT DOESN'T MEAN YOU ARE LOSING IT
Talking to yourself out loud is generally a common behaviour. The next time someone catches you having a full conversation with yourself, you may simply be working through a thought in the most direct way possible.
So yes, your imaginary meeting with yourself might actually be a small brainstorming session. And honestly, you may be your most available colleague.
