All About Self Talking
Do you talk to yourself? As you’re reading this you might me saying ‘what – me? I don’t talk to myself!’ We all do it but since it happens unconsciously, we’re rarely aware of it. Call it what you will; thinking out load, personal conversations, praying, talking to your fairies or releasing words from your thoughts so that they can be better understood and managed. Some, very comfortably discuss issues out loud, regardless of who’s around while others engage in it much more privately and get quite embarrassed when discovered.
Private speech is an essential part of our cognitive process and can have a huge impact on our thoughts and overall behavior. Usually it happens in people who analyze excessively and therefore their thoughts spill over into speech. It encourages learning and helps us untangle issues that may be bothering us. Moreover, it helps us rehearse certain information so that we can better remember and retain it.
Socially this habit has always been criticized and linked to mental instability. We know that to a large extent it’s a natural process since children engage in personal conversations all the time. A study conducted by Dr. Adam Winsler determined that kindergarten kids who talk to themselves are more confident, participating actively during class compared to their more introverted peers. By chatting with themselves, they are able to put their problems into perspective and reflect upon their past actions. Dr. Adam says “private speech” is essential in childhood development and should not be censured, but rather enthusiastically embraced and encouraged. Likewise, adults who engage in self-talk have been described as creative and imaginative, using all their cognitive repertoires to find solutions and analyze different dimensions.
However because children usually receive negative feedback from care providers and/or friends who discourage this act, gradually as we grow older we stop talking to ourselves. The discouragement may come in the form of direct disapproval or quite hurtfully being mocked and ridiculed.
Researchers claim that self-talk can boost our confidence, motivate, be an effective coping mechanism when we’re alone or don’t have access to our usual support network and have extraordinary emotional benefits. According to Nottingham Trent University, passengers on a bus or train release their inner stress by quietly humming a tune or simply whispering to themselves. However, they try to do this as quietly as possible, feeling “it’s legitimate to communicate to others, but not with themselves” according to Dr. Glenn Williams.
A recent informal survey in the UAE found some common reasons why people talk to themselves and some of the responses include:
• To improve on how we say things
• To plan out loud so that components are remembered
• Feeling lonely
• Have imaginary adventures
• It feels good
• Help with concentration
• To address problems verbally
• To escape the reality of life
• To rehearse an idea or speech before saying it to someone else
• To release anger, frustration and stress
• To make wishes or pray for things
• When confused about a matter
• To create different funny characters
• Just to be silly
The only point of concern is that you should monitor your personal conversations so that it isn’t destructive, punitive or overly critical. Avoid saying things like, ‘you’re so stupid, why did you do that?’ Evaluate your actions, praise your achievements, mumble motivation and boost your mood with encouragement when needed. Let your thoughts and maybe a little speech take you where you would like to go.
Private speech is an essential part of our cognitive process and can have a huge impact on our thoughts and overall behavior. Usually it happens in people who analyze excessively and therefore their thoughts spill over into speech. It encourages learning and helps us untangle issues that may be bothering us. Moreover, it helps us rehearse certain information so that we can better remember and retain it.
Socially this habit has always been criticized and linked to mental instability. We know that to a large extent it’s a natural process since children engage in personal conversations all the time. A study conducted by Dr. Adam Winsler determined that kindergarten kids who talk to themselves are more confident, participating actively during class compared to their more introverted peers. By chatting with themselves, they are able to put their problems into perspective and reflect upon their past actions. Dr. Adam says “private speech” is essential in childhood development and should not be censured, but rather enthusiastically embraced and encouraged. Likewise, adults who engage in self-talk have been described as creative and imaginative, using all their cognitive repertoires to find solutions and analyze different dimensions.
However because children usually receive negative feedback from care providers and/or friends who discourage this act, gradually as we grow older we stop talking to ourselves. The discouragement may come in the form of direct disapproval or quite hurtfully being mocked and ridiculed.
Researchers claim that self-talk can boost our confidence, motivate, be an effective coping mechanism when we’re alone or don’t have access to our usual support network and have extraordinary emotional benefits. According to Nottingham Trent University, passengers on a bus or train release their inner stress by quietly humming a tune or simply whispering to themselves. However, they try to do this as quietly as possible, feeling “it’s legitimate to communicate to others, but not with themselves” according to Dr. Glenn Williams.
A recent informal survey in the UAE found some common reasons why people talk to themselves and some of the responses include:
• To improve on how we say things
• To plan out loud so that components are remembered
• Feeling lonely
• Have imaginary adventures
• It feels good
• Help with concentration
• To address problems verbally
• To escape the reality of life
• To rehearse an idea or speech before saying it to someone else
• To release anger, frustration and stress
• To make wishes or pray for things
• When confused about a matter
• To create different funny characters
• Just to be silly
The only point of concern is that you should monitor your personal conversations so that it isn’t destructive, punitive or overly critical. Avoid saying things like, ‘you’re so stupid, why did you do that?’ Evaluate your actions, praise your achievements, mumble motivation and boost your mood with encouragement when needed. Let your thoughts and maybe a little speech take you where you would like to go.
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