In recent years, the search for well-being has transformed into a true quest for meaning. Meditation, silent retreats, journaling… everyone seeks to reconnect with themselves, to slow down a little from the hectic pace of everyday life. But among these now essential practices, another form of self-care is starting to make its way, discreet, but surprisingly powerful: learning a new language.
An inner journey above all
Because no, learning a language is not just for students or expatriates. And it’s not just memorizing words or repeating sentences either. It is, as the psychoanalyst Christian Richomme points out, “a true act of interior construction”. An act in which you can be an actor.
“Each word learned is a small victory that restores self-confidence and reminds us that we can progress at any age. A language is a bridge: it connects us to others, takes us out of inner isolation and nourishes a feeling of belonging essential to psychological balance” evokes the expert.
And in a world sometimes withdrawn into itself, he adds: “Learning a language means choosing openness, humanity and connection.” In other words, taking on a new language is embarking on a journey, not just to another country, but to a better version of yourself.
The unsuspected benefits of words
The positive effects of language learning on the mind are now well known, but we often underestimate their emotional impact. However, they are very present throughout your learning, in your bubble.
Deep appeasement
Repeating words, listening to dialogues, concentrating on a pronunciation exercise… These simple gestures have an almost meditative power. For a few minutes, the outside world fades, anxious thoughts dissipate. Fifteen minutes are enough to create a bubble of calm, a break where the mind finds its breath.
A brain in great shape
Learning vocabulary, remembering rules, understanding new structures: it’s complete training for the mind. “I find that my brain is faster”testifies Frédéric Pelagatti, Babbel user. “By learning a language, I really feel like I have a sharper mind.” A bit like a “mental fitness” session, this daily gymnastics strengthens memory, concentration and clarity of mind.
Reactivated creativity
Exploring a language means discovering other ways of thinking, of imagining, of dreaming. Words, moreover, carry other images, other logics, other ways of expressing emotion. This openness nourishes creativity, mental flexibility and the ability to see the world differently — as an artistic or spiritual practice.
Confidence that grows with every word
Each successful sentence, each attempted conversation, each progress nourishes self-confidence. We find ourselves thinking: “I can learn. I can progress. I can express myself.”
This conviction, born from a simple spoken word, extends well beyond learning. It resurfaces in daily life, in the way of facing challenges or feeling legitimate.
An openness to the world and to others
Finally, learning a language means opening up to other cultures, other stories, other ways of living. It is an invitation to curiosity and encounter. Even a few words are enough to create a connection, to feel this simple joy of belonging to something greater, human.
Well-being, a question of connection
Learning a language is therefore a humble and joyful gesture at the same time. It’s choosing to learn, to understand, to open up… Even if you don’t have immediate plans to visit a country. It is offering your mind a space for exploration and calm, and your heart, a new way of connecting with others.
So maybe the real moment for yourself is not found in silence… but in the sound of a new word. With foreign sounds.