Chatter: The Voice in Our Head, Why It Matters, and How to Harness It

by Ethan Kross

Engage in mental time travel.

Change the view.

Write expressively.

Adopt the perspective of a neutral third party.

Clutch a lucky charm or embrace a superstition.

Perform a ritual.

Address people’s emotional and cognitive needs.

Provide invisible support.

Tell your kids to pretend they’re a superhero.

Touch affectionately (but respectfully).

Be someone else’s placebo.

Build a board of advisers.

Seek out physical contact.

Look at a photo of a loved one.

Perform a ritual with others.

Minimize passive social media usage.

Use these technologies actively instead to connect with others at opportune times.

Use social media to gain support.

Create order in your environment.

Increase your exposure to green spaces.

Seek out awe-inspiring experiences.