LZ: I love this concept of what you call the universal you. What we noticed is that sometimes when people are trying to make sense of really difficult situations in their life, they do something that is very odd linguistically. LZ: They talk about their own experiences using the word you, but not to refer to another person, but to refer to the world in general. This can be an effective tool for helping people make meaning out of negative experiences. It helps them normalize what they're going through, get some space from their experience and it also draws other people into our world.
For Mental Health Awareness Month, we’re revisiting some of our favorite conversations with scientists about how to live healthier, happier lives.
Psychology professor Ethan Kross is an expert on the science of introspection and the role our inner voice plays in shaping our decisions and sense of well-being. While our inner voice has a lot of benefits, it can sometimes turn negative and lead to what Ethan calls “mental chatter.” In this episode, we discuss science-based strategies for how to rein in our mental chatter, including an exercise in mental time travel.
Our new season starts June 5. In the meantime, connect with Maya on instagram @DrMayaShanker.
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