Talking to yourself may be generally considered a sign of madness, but it seems that in reality, it’s quite the opposite, at least, according to a recent study.

I find I am talking out loud at times, whether I am in a situation, like putting a DIY project together, or if I am asking my own self for advice.

Sometimes I find I do this out in public, which used to be a little embarrassing, I have to admit. However, there is no need to feel self-conscious anymore, as it has been scientifically proven that people who talk to themselves are not crazy as the general public would have you believe.

According to a study conducted by psychologists Daniel Swigley and Gary Lupyan and published in the Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology, talking to yourself could actually be beneficial.

After all, if even Albert Einsteinused to repeat his sentences to himself softly”, evidenced by his official site. That is proof enough!

Mood

There are actually benefits that come from talking to yourself, as it can clarify your train of thought and alleviate any stress. So we can go as far as to say it helps in making you feel better.

In fact, there are two types of self-talk – negative self-talk which can make your mood drop, as we are our own worst critics. We want to focus on the good dialogue and cheering ourselves on.

Memory

Studies by Lupyan and Swingley have shown that talking to yourself provides a cognitive boost to your brainpower.

The study involved 20 volunteers who were shown photographs of objects and told to pick out a banana from them.

It was split evenly between the volunteers; there were those who remained silent and those who would utter ‘banana’ out loud. The results were quite interesting – it was found that the self-directed talkers selected the banana a little quicker.

Talking aloud dates back to our childhood, where we learnt new skills by talking our way through it—something instinctive to children. This useful habit is only lost when we reach maturity and grow to fear that talking aloud to ourselves may be perceived by many as a sign of madness.

Focus

Thoughts can come and go, and often snowball into something else. By deliberating out loud to ourselves can help us clarify any situation, especially when sometimes everything can become overwhelming.

Hearing our own voices can be comforting so why not invite yourself to a conversation when you have a spare moment, which will help you understand your own opinions better.

Take the time to listen to your inner voice, allowing yourself to count on you to understand your own needs.


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This Post Has 2 Comments

  1. Ronald Ellsworth

    It’s the ones that are hearing voices in their heads we should worry about. Honestly!

  2. Jougal

    How is being a genius and crazy mutually exclusive…

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