logo
episode-header-image
Oct 2023
33m 59s

164. Why Venting Negative Emotions Only ...

OptimalWork
About this episode

#164: It’s a widespread belief that when experiencing negative emotions like anger or frustration, it’s helpful to vent them. In fact, this practice is counterproductive. Studies indicate that when people express negative emotions in this way, far from letting them out, they in fact get more of them. This result is confirmed by a consideration of the neuroscience of perception and appraisal. In this episode, we discuss the origin of the theory of catharsis, why it’s wrong, and what to do instead — and what to do if someone is venting to you.


Find more at https://OptimalWork.com

Up next
Oct 6
268. Understanding Depression II: Good and Bad Tired
#268: Kevin and Sharif unpack why “good tired” and “bad tired” aren’t just degrees of fatigue but two distinct brain states tied to adenosine pathways—and how dopamine (and even caffeine) changes the experience. They translate cutting-edge neuroscience into practical steps you ca ... Show More
30m 19s
Sep 29
267. Understanding Depression I: The Role of Adenosine
#267: Kevin and Sharif explore how depression connects to “bad tired,” the draining fatigue that comes from poor sleep, chronic stress, or unfinished effort. At the center is one molecule — adenosine — which can make us feel either “good tired” (satisfied, fulfilled) or “bad tire ... Show More
29m 59s
Sep 22
[Rebroadcast] Overcoming Anxiety I: Feel the Fear
#266: Overcoming anxiety occurs in three successive stages. In this first installment of a three episode series, we discuss stage one: confronting the trigger of anxiety head-on, embracing the fear. Over time, the trigger will habituate; as you challenge yourself, the fear you ex ... Show More
32m 46s
Recommended Episodes
Apr 2019
76. Anger + Something New
On a previous episode, I talked about the distinction between positive and negative motivation and action, and the way we're taught that negative emotions lead to positive actions. Many of us think our anger will motivate us to take actions, believing this will change things, but ... Show More
19m 36s
May 2020
191: How to Crush Negative Thoughts: Mental Filter/Discounting the Positives
This is the fourth in our podcasts series on the best techniques to crush each of the ten cognitive distortions from my book, Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy. Today, we focus on Mental Filtering and Discounting the Positive. (This will be the last Episode recorded remotely wit ... Show More
27m 44s
Jun 2018
The Power of Negative Thinking: Why One Psychologist Says It's Good to Be in a Bad Mood
Have you ever questioned the way you navigate your inner-world? The way you think, feel - even the way you react to the emotions you experience every single day. Harvard psychologist Dr. Susan David argues that you should, because our awareness of those feelings is the single mos ... Show More
36m 15s
Aug 2020
203: How to Crush Negative Thoughts: Emotional Reasoning
Today, the Cognitive Distortion Starter Kit Continues with Emotional Reasoning Rhonda begins by reading a beautiful emails from a listener who was greatly inspired and helped by the personal work Marilyn Coffee did on several previous podcast. I also give a brief shout out for my ... Show More
34m 47s
Dec 2021
Episode 17: How To Be Emotionally Intelligent
Most of us were taught as children that our emotions were wrong or bad. Some of us were punished for crying or told to not get angry. This makes us disconnected from our emotions as adults. In this episode, you’ll learn hope to have a new relationship with your emotions to create ... Show More
21m 56s
Sep 2023
Negativity bias
35 | By definition, "negativity bias" is our tendency not only to register negative stimuli more readily but also to dwell on these events. If you've ever gotten multiple compliments but focused more on the one insult, that is negativity bias at work. Why do we do this? Is this n ... Show More
44m 51s
Oct 2017
Wipe Out Negative Thoughts & Limiting Beliefs with Nick Ortner
Do you ever have negative thoughts creep up on you out of nowhere? I myself suffered from this for quite a long time until I learned a few things. How to identify these thoughts as they arise, and what to do with them. In this episode, Nick Ortner shares his best practices for cr ... Show More
18m 4s
Apr 2019
Overcoming Negativity
Do you ruminate endlessly on difficult work situations? Dan and Alison answer your questions with the help of David DeSteno, a psychologist at Northeastern University. They talk through what to do when your boss constantly criticizes you, you’ve been fired unexpectedly, or your c ... Show More
30m 57s