Many of us use self-talk to inspire and improve ourselves. Yet the typically harsh, punishing approach often backfires (for example, Loser!). Research has repeatedly linked self-criticism to various ...

Negative self-talk, or an excessively-critical inner monologue, can keep you from reaching your goals and create a cycle of pessimism. Telling ourselves we aren't smart or productive enough to hit ...

Does stepping back to evaluate a situation from a distanced perspective lead us to be selfish or fair? This question has been of philosophical interest for centuries, and, more recently, the focus of ...

Your mind can be both your fiercest ally and your toughest opponent. Research uncovers what negative self-talk might really be doing for you, and how to work with it. Have you ever noticed a voice in ...

You can alter your reality for the better by changing the way you speak to yourself. Many of us struggle with perfectionism, always aiming to be flawless in the eyes of others and ourselves. But this ...

Emotional self-harm refers to negative thoughts that damage someone’s self-esteem and mental health. This can manifest in overly critical self-talk or ruminating on past mistakes. Although the term ...

Talking to oneself is a common phenomenon; yet research on spontaneous self-talk overlooks nuances in the self-perspective people adopt when engaging in this process. Laboratory research suggests that ...

Negative self-talk, or the experience of your inner monologue being hyper-critical, can erode your confidence. And, usually, whatever you're worried about doesn't actually come to pass, says Judy Ho, ...