Recently, the word “yapping” has been used frequently among high school students, made popular on social media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram.

The word, meaning to talk a lot about something with little importance, can commonly have a negative connotation. 

Freshman Hannah Friedman said, “Yapping can be annoying because sometimes people talk too much and overshare.”

On the other hand, talking without a designated topic can prove beneficial for mental health.

No matter the subject, talking with friends is undeniably good for mental health, as Clinical Psychologist Andrea Bonier, PhD, proves. “Chitchat is the social glue that holds communities together and helps us feel like we’re part of something larger than ourselves.” 

It is proven that light chit-chat like this can keep our minds sharp as we age. It is good for the brain, especially between or after a stressful day. Meaningless conversation is just what we need to get our minds off of hard subjects that cause stress and anxiety. 

Yapping is also fun when you have friends to talk to.

“If you’re fearful about what you’re going to say then you’ll hesitate to yap, and yapping is fun! True yappers create other yappers. A true yapper, like myself, invites others into the convo to yap,” said Mrs. Saari.

Casual, lighthearted conversations involving laughter are needed and beneficial when we see so much negativity in the world, in everyday life, and on the news. 

Having a conversation, whether it is through texting, a phone call, or in person, is great for your well-being. 

Unexpectedly, this can be labeled as a form of self-care. Chitchatting once in a while can give us a sense of belonging, which can save us from feeling lonely and isolated. 

“While yapping can be annoying, it does create a bond with the people you are talking with,” said Friedman.

Overall, yapping may be annoying to some people, but it is truly a way to relax from all that goes wrong in life.