In general, people do need to vent their negative emotions, according to researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. However, how people work determines whether venting is healthy or unhealthy, effective or ineffective.
Negative emotions (photoAC)
Relationships, work, finances, and discrimination are just some of the everyday stressors that can fuel the need to vent. Research shows that this stress can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, and releasing or managing stress can improve physical and mental health and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Having a strong social support network is associated with better mental health.
Venting out on someone with a strong social support network is one way to reduce the impact of everyday stressors, says Milstein, an assistant professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. Calling a friend and venting your emotions can be helpful. It helps you feel connected to your social support network, which is an important determinant of life satisfaction and overall well-being.
It can be helpful to talk to someone who supports your feelings, even if that person offers a different perspective. Still, venting to someone who ignores your feelings can be detrimental. Sharing without getting a response from the other person is not valid. It might make you feel worthless, or unlovable.
Venting can also backfire if the listener amplifies negative emotions. Another negative consequence is that if the listener gets tired of listening, that person may not want to be there if you vent again and again, which can destroy social relationships. For major stressors, talking to a therapist may be more helpful.
If it makes people feel insecure to speak out about their feelings to others, another option is to write them down.
Research has found many health benefits from expressive writing, which is writing down how you feel every day. It has been shown to aid in healing from traumatic experiences and may help lower blood pressure, boost the immune system, improve sleep, and reduce depression and pain.
Negative emotions (photoAC)
Whether expressing emotions on paper or in person, the researchers recommend finding ways to focus on both the positive and the negative. For example, focusing on what you are grateful for at the end of a venting session can help restore positive emotions, as can mindfulness practice.
Develop a relaxation program, such as deep breathing or meditation, the researchers note. Exercise can also relieve stress and release negative emotions. While humor is also a great coping strategy, venting to a friend with a sense of humor can be doubly helpful.
2023-08-23 08:48:26
#vent #emotions #properly #Letting #Stress #Increases #Risk #Cardiovascular #Disease #Releasing #Managing #Stress #Improve #Physical #Mental #Health
