Science says: talking to yourself is good for you
‘What did you say?’ ‘Oh, nothing, I was just having a nice little rant to myself.’ The more chaotic my week, the more persistent this urge becomes. My guest dog Saar (the sweetest brown labrador on earth) sometimes provides me with an alibi, but most of the time people look at me as if I’ve lost my mind. And who can blame them.
By the way, I used to be convinced that only mothers talk to themselves, so the fact that I’m doing it now is quite a reality check. Now I also think that only mothers forget what they’ve already told you a hundred times, so I’m already very worried about that. But back to that chatting with yourself. I do it, mothers do it, and Kiki does it too. And what turns out? It’s healthy. Ha, put that single ticket back in the bag. We just need to chat en masse with ourselves, because that reduces stress. I foresee a mass exodus at the therapist's office.
If you’re thinking: just chatting with myself is relaxing; unfortunately. As soon as you stress out and start telling yourself long stories, there is one essential component you need to keep in mind. Do it in the third person. Okeeee, now it’s getting a bit embarrassing. Getting caught explaining your actions out loud is one thing, but if you’re also talking about yourself as if you’re some kind of majesty, it borders on weird. Or is it just that. If it can be cynical, then I immediately confess guilt, because I do that. But otherwise, it’s just awkward, admit it.
Still do it, say the scientists from universities in Michigan. Because by talking about yourself in the third person, you distance yourself from a situation. This allows you to analyze it better and think more calmly about a situation. Your brain activity that drives your emotions decreases, and voilà, you’re completely zen in your head.
Plan the campaign. This way you can chat nicely with yourself and also de-stress:
- Preferably do it alone, because there’s a chance your loved ones will think you’ve gone completely cuckoo.
- When you talk to yourself, do it in the third person. A bit like this: ‘Adeline, now you’re first going to clear the mailbox of that pile of letters, then you’re going to let the dust cloth flutter over that blue vase, you’ll immediately toss the soy milk, spinach, and coffee into the aah-haa basket, and then you can have wine.’ It’s de-stressing and ticking off at the same time.
- Stop halfway through this third-person action to make sure no one is secretly calling for help to pick you up.
- Keep chatting nicely about yourself to yourself.
- Emotions under control, nicely analyzed, and zen like the Dalai Lama you are.
