Positive Psychology Training – Why venting and ranting is not good for you

Did you know that positive psychology programs and activities would be the best alternatives to going ranting or venting? I bet you’ve heard growing up that venting your negative emotions on other things and resorting to ranting are better than expressing aggression. Recent researches showed otherwise.

So, what should you do when you’re angry? Let me take you to a discussion of these fascinating concepts of catharsis and “mood-freeze” experiments.

Before you continue you might like to consider our free worksheet on exploring “Moments That Bug Me”. Please download this worksheet here.

In this article:
Concept of Catharsis – Why we vent and rant
The Mood Freeze Experiments
Positive Psychology Program for taking the blue pill

Concept of Catharsis – Why we vent and rant

Catharsis is the idea that diverting negative emotions to less aggressive actions will reduce a pent-up of aggression later. It is considered an old concept that we can trace back to being mentioned by Aristotle and into the theories of Sigmund Freud.

It may not have been a popular term, but research about belief in catharsis in the context of observance and participation in aggressive sports (and activities is an excellent way to stop having aggressive urges) showed that people believing in the idea of catharsis uses it to make themselves feel better.

This idea of indulging in lesser negative actions is the root of our concept that venting our problems to others or ranting is better than actually clashing in with an overwhelmed state. Without knowing the term catharsis, I bet you also believe that if we can release our negative emotions in a reasonably harmless way, then the likelihood that we will increase aggression might decrease. I’ve only been really aware of this term from my positive psychology training!

Maybe you have done this too! Like when you tore and tossed that paper you were writing on or when you punched that pillow to release your anger!

When you study positive psychology you might encounter lots of studies about aggression. With the idea that you may lessen your aggression through ranting, venting, and playing violent video games (which are less harmful actions) was found to be an ineffective way of decreasing aggression.

This research by Bushman, Baumeister, and Stack (1999) showed that participants who engaged in cathartic activities actually did not help lessen their aggression— and the opposite occurred. This was more reinforced by a study that revolved around predicting that countries that are currently participating in wars would show less domestic aggression. (Bauer, Cassar, Chytilová & Heinrich, 2014).

psychology behind this increase in aggression is that:

• Engaging in behavior that relays hostility, such as tearing paper or punching a pillow, increases our arousal. With arousal comes enjoyment (or a sense of being rewarded) which may be why aggression is amplified later on (or that we are more likely to engage doing it again).

In sum, being dependent on catharsis by engaging in or viewing aggressive actions or activities is more likely to fan the flames of aggression than to put them out.

The following experiments will tell you why letting negative emotions dissipate over time or why engaging in other nonviolent (but distracting activities) is better than cathartic activities to manage aggression!

The Mood Freeze Experiments

Research by Manucia, Baumann, and Cialdini (1984) was the root of the term “mood freeze.” This study discovered an exciting method of dissipating anger. According to the research, participants who took a placebo pill labeled as something that can calm them helped them cool down. Now, this shows the power, not of the placebo pill, but the mind. This is then one of the first researches that clashed with the concept of catharsis head-on that a calm mind is better in decreasing aggression than indulging in small acts of negativities. This was supported by Bushman, Baumeister, and Philips (2001) that bad moods and actions further promote aggression.

Positive Psychology Training for Taking the blue pill

Emotional ventilation (through venting and ranting) is a temporary relief for all the overwhelming negative feelings that an individual is experiencing. In the long term, this can render you dependent on others, and you do know how too much negativity harms your connections and relationships.

Going for the mood freezing pill is about engaging in activities that do not add to your emotional vulnerability. Here are a few examples of non-aggressive alternatives to ranting and venting:

1. Acceptance and recognition of the situation: In positive psychology training, having a good perspective of the things that you can control can help you shift your focus off negativities. Acceptance may take time, but it’ll eventually round up. At times we need to take a step back from the situation to understand it fully.
2. Relaxation and calming practice: Create your own method that works the best for you, like taking a walk, going for a massage, listening to music. People have different strategies and always remember that what whats for some may not work for you. Keep trying and trying until you find what works for you.
3. Find your peace: Slowing down, or sitting quietly with your thoughts can truly benefit you. Remember to pause and move away from negative responses. Keep yourself in check when you are at the height of emotions. Before you say words and do things it is essential that you calm down first.Remember that words that has been said can never be taken back for we never know how much can our words can hurt someone, keeping in mind that someone could be our self.
4. Gauge the situation if it is worth your time: Analyze if the situation or relationship is worth your effort and time. Remember that you should invest your time in the meaningful relationships. This is a form of self-love.It’s essential to look out for mutual effort. To make a relationship work, the steps should come from both sides.
5. Find other distractions: When you are done analyzing, try to take your mind of it. By doing non-aggressive activities like reading a book recording or by doing art.
6. Count to ten: Counting up to ten before reacting to an anger-filled situation, can help you rationalize scenarios. Reacting instantly takes away your chance to respond to a problem rationally. This can result to more harm at times.
7. Find the root cause: Whenever you are in a situation full of overwhelming emotions. Try to look at the bigger underlying problems that are brought up the dilemma. For example, crying over a delayed update can have deeper unresolved issues about feeling insecurity and lack of receiving the appropriate love language.
8. Changing routine: If a problem keeps coming up again and again, then it might be time that you check and change your routine! Remember that change is constant. Being flexible and can teach you to adapt in new situations to find solutions for your emotional turmoil.

Positive psychology programs like meditation and mindfulness are just some of the most common and easiest things that you can do to truly lessen your aggression urges.

Recall moments and instances how social media affects situations when people rant and post about problems without regard to what can happen next and what can be done other than it?

 

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