Let Them Talk

Is your inner voice more critic than cheerleader? Learn how to tame the negativity and have better conversations with yourself.

- NADINE SIEGER

Ever wonder why that voice in your head never seems to shut up? It can be your cheerleader, your worst critic, and everything in-between. But guess what? You have some control over this inner chatterbox.

One thing is certain: Our inner voice is a crucial part of our identity and influences our emotional life. “At its best, it helps us make smart decisions, categorise emotions, store information, reflect on the past, set goals, and define our self-image,” explains US neuroscientist Dr Ethan Kross. “Self-talk has an enormous influence on how we overcome challenges and navigate our daily lives.”

In stressful and problematic situations, these internal dialogues can spiral into endless brooding, making life more difficult. Kross has been studying this for years. In his book Chatter: The Voice in Our Head and How to Harness It, he reveals how we can tap into the positive potential of self-talk.