Our inability to escape our minds is also a driver of human ingenuity. There's some research which suggests that we spend between one half and one third of our waking hours not focused on the present. We are failing to appreciate how remarkable it is that we even have this ability in the first place. And so i think reframing our relationship with our inner monologue chatter can be, in the long term, a productive way of actually solving some of the challenges that accompany the inner voice.
Psychology professor Ethan Kross is an expert on the science of introspection, and the role our inner voice plays in shaping our 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 so we can live happier, healthier lives.
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