If you’ve ever caught yourself talking out loud while looking for your keys or working through a problem, you’re not alone — and scientists say it might actually be a good thing.
For a long time, talking to yourself has been seen as a bad habit or something people should hide. But psychologists now say self-talk can improve focus, memory, and problem-solving.
Research has shown that when people verbalise their thoughts, their brains process information more clearly. Saying things out loud helps the brain organise ideas, filter distractions, and stay on task.
In one study, participants were asked to find specific objects in a room. Those who spoke to themselves out loud — saying things like “I’m looking for the blue folder” — completed the task faster than those who stayed silent.
Why?
Because hearing your own voice activates multiple parts of the brain at once. You’re not just thinking — you’re seeing, hearing, and reinforcing the idea, which makes it easier to act on it.
Self-talk is also linked to emotional regulation. People often talk to themselves to calm down, motivate themselves, or work through stressful situations. Athletes, performers, and even surgeons are known to do it — especially under pressure.
Importantly, psychologists make a clear distinction between healthy self-talk and something more serious. Talking to yourself to organise thoughts or emotions is completely normal. It only becomes a concern if voices feel uncontrollable or separate from your own thoughts.
So the next time someone laughs and asks, “Why are you talking to yourself?”
There’s a solid response ready:
“Because it helps my brain work.”
And according to science, that’s not weird at all.
