Venting Doesn't Make You Feel Better
How many times have we said, "I need to vent..." We might think that it feels cathartic, but we end up rehashing a story, getting all riled up again, and then feel the same afterward. Now science is saying that it leaves us even angrier after we vent. We don't want to deny how we feel. However, instead of venting and complaining, let's switch our focus to reflecting.
We first need to be able to acknowledge our feelings and feel them. Then we need to take it a step further. Reflect on your feelings, look at how you got to this point, and then focus on the solution. Without reflection and focus on solutions, we're merely ruminating. Next time you feel you need to vent about co-workers, friends, family, politics, or any situation; take some deep breaths, journal, or take a walk. If you still need to release your feelings, then do it with a purpose. That purpose is to find a solution to your problem and to feel and release your unpleasant feelings. Catch yourself next time you are about to vent and make a decision - Do you want to feel worse or better?
Arathi offers one-on-one coaching and emotional intelligence and conscious principles workshops to organizations. She created the EASE approach to help others Explore, Analyze, Strengthen, and Empower their thinking to identify and conquer obstacles to success and change their lives and businesses.
With twenty years of experience in business management coupled with certifications in coaching and emotional intelligence, Arathi’s background as a serial entrepreneur and a veteran in the start-up space has provided her with extensive cross-functional knowledge that she can apply to any situation or client. She has managed teams globally in places such as India, Japan, China, Germany, Canada, Taiwan, Eastern Europe, as well as the U.S., and has worked with a wide range of clients including from the financial, healthcare, cybersecurity, and fashion industries, among others.