Meaning of Venting Out
Venting out is imperative to emotional wellbeing. We have been so emotionally distant from our friends and family that we have forgotten what it is like to share. Do you remember the last time, when you spoke your heart out, without the fear of judgement? Or being sad about a competition you couldn’t make it to and crying in front of your parents?Remember any of this?
We have vented out a lot of times. It feels like a breath of fresh air after being in a closed room for a long time. It’s airing out our emotions we may have been bottling up for some time. But not everyone rants about their emotions. People who do not rant about their emotions may feel sudden overwhelming feelings and may face emotional outbursts. Why so? Because many of us fear the judgement of others and thus are stuck in the dilemma of “to vent or not to vent”.
Why vent your emotions?
Imagine a balloon that has a lot of air, if we continue to pump in more air into it, it will eventually burst. The same thing happens with our emotions as well. Humans are social animals. And we experience a ton of emotions throughout the day. Whether it’s sorrow, anxiety, anger, or frustrations in general, repeatedly bottling up what may need to come out can cause us mental, physical, or emotional harm.
Studies suggest that venting out gives us immediate relief from stress. It helps us cool down. Sometimes, after venting out, you may again feel your equilibrium. It teaches us that every emotion is temporary and letting go of anger and frustration gives a sense of relief.
And if you struggle with the dilemma of “to vent or not to vent” then you are not alone and it’s okay. But you don’t necessarily have to rant your emotions to a person; you can do it in other ways as well.
Vent it Out the Right Way
Since venting out involves two people, it is important that you do it the right way. If you’re going to rant to your friend or anyone you think would care to listen, is there a way when we can express ourselves and still protect the other person?
Venting is a burst of mixed feelings and emotions and anyone listening is surely affected in some ways. One should abide by a few things before venting out to anyone.
1. Asking for consent
The consent of the listener is of utmost importance. It is not easy to listen to others, especially when each individual has so much going on in their own lives. If they are okay with it, let out all your feelings but if they are not then you must respect their choice. They may not be in the right frame of mind to listen to you and help you out. Forceful venting may end up making you feel pathetic and unheard. Before you know it, you’ve single handedly created an echo chamber of stress that winds its way back to you, but this time amplified.
2. Venting Endlessly
Discussing your problems over and over with the listener may end up putting them under stress. One should learn to do it on a timer. This does not hold back your emotions. Sometimes setting short-timers may help you build new healthy habits.
3. Positive Venting
There are ways in which we express our emotions. If you wish to relieve stress or seek solutions to your problems, it is important that we express them with the same intent. Negative venting can be addictive in nature and it can also impact the other person in a non-healthy way.
4. Finding a Safe space
This is one of the most underrated factors in venting out. You must have a confidante that will not judge you and will help you, rather than adding to the negativity. You can find your safe space for venting to a friend, a family member or a therapist.
6 Easy Ways to Vent out
Talking is surely the most prevalent form of venting out but what if one fears being judged? Talking is surely not the only option out there. Some of the best ways to let go of your emotions are:
1. Exercise
Exercising, Boxing, and Running are some of the best ways to cool yourself down. Your low days may become some of your best fitness days. Exercising helps in practising mindfulness and building deeper connections with ourselves.
Meditation can also help you in cooling yourself down and seeing through and looking at your deeper self. Check out the Ultimate Guide to Meditation HERE.
2. Journal
Write down anything and everything you may have been feeling in a moment. Be very honest with yourself while doing so and reflect upon it. This will not only help you vent out without any help from outside but with promote feelings of self-love.
Practice self-love with these easy 6 Ways. Click here to know more.
2. Art/Music
Sometimes words are not enough. Sometimes, we need more than that. Art and Music are a very healthy way to release your emotions and give them a beautiful shape. These are effective mediums to vent out. You need not be an expert in any of these to begin.
GoodLives provides Expressive Arts and Music therapy to help you deal with your emotions in unique ways.
4. Mirror Gazing
When feeling a rush of emotions, we may lose the ability to look deeper. Try looking in the mirror for some time and talk to yourself about anything that has been bothering you. Spend time reflecting on everything you are feeling and understand what’s affecting you.
Still, wondering if it’d help or not? Learn more about Mirror-Gazing here.
5. Practicing Gratitude
Looking past the negative feelings you may have been surrounded with and search for the good it has brought to you. This may not be the best option every time but can be helpful. You can even try this after you ventilate to any of your friends and understand the whole situation once again.
Practicing gratitude brings us a step closer to mindfulness. Learn 4 simple ways to do so here.
6. Talking
Confide in any of your trusted friends who will not judge you for rambling out your feelings. If they are capable of active listening and can give you unbiased solutions, it can be truly healthy for your emotional and mental wellbeing. Take help from anyone who can rationally give you any solutions.
It’s completely okay to not be able to vent to your close ones but holding in your confusing feelings is not healthy at all. It can be destructive for yourself. It’s also okay if any of the above ways don’t work out for you the way it may work out for others.
GoodLives is here for you. We map you to the right therapists who will listen to you and understand your mental state. Forget the fear of being judged or getting wrong solutions while venting out because with professionals you are always secure. We’ll provide you with a completely confidential and affordable journey to vent out your emotions.
Acknowledge your need to vent out and reach out to us today here.
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