We all do it at some time or another—talk to ourselves while we’re performing a task. Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania have found that this seemingly “irrational” behavior can benefit our brains—especially when we’re talking about something we’re looking for. In fact, they found that when we say the word for what we’re looking for, we tend to find the object more quickly—probably because we’re concentrating on it. So the next time you lose your keys (or anything else), repeat the words “keys, keys, keys” to yourself as you hunt. And let us know if it seems to help!