Complaining and venting

Social connection means sharing both positive and negative emotions. During a crisis, we can get comfort in sharing our fears and receive objective feedback.

However, we have to consider if the end of a conversation results in feeling less worried or sad or are both parties emotionally exhausted and feeling worse.

Venting should not become a habit as it won't fix the problem. When to stop negative emotions:

• When venting becomes the main coping style cause delays in adaptive action.
• When sharing with others stresses them.
• When you don't feel better, and one or...