Talk about it. | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

Talk about it.

Combatting the myth that verbal expression of emotion is a sign of weakness

12
Talk about it.
https://www.google.com/search?q=talking+things+out...:

Any one person, regardless of their cultural or ethnic background, is likely to read this and be able to agree that they have fallen victim to the common myth that "expressing emotions is a sign of weakness" at some point in their life. Humanity's fear of emotional expression is correlated with a fear of losing control, which our society tells us is threatening to our status and well-being. However, despite our best efforts, emotions are much like a pot of boiling water. Emotions will emerge in some capacity whether we are actively trying to suppress them or not. Unexpressed emotions often show up in ways like anger or rage towards other people, uncontrolled emotional outbursts, feelings of depression, physical ailments (headache, muscle aches, etc), a critical view of the self, and so forth. Contrary to society's implications, verbal expression of emotion is actually an extremely beneficial coping strategy. A professor of Psychology and Psychiatry submits that emotions are much like an "internal compass" that direct us toward success in life goals and flexible coping strategies (Johnson, 2000). Feeling heard by a close friend or trusted family member often leads to feelings of support and companionship. Instead of making us "weak", emotional expression actually strengthens us both mentally and physically. Expressing emotions lessens or eliminates feelings of anxiety, depression, high blood pressure, etc. For instance, the importance of grief has long been examined by psychology researchers. What we do know is this: emotional expressions like crying are a sign of emotional health and a demonstration of a secure relationship with the self. Therefore, crying and other expressions of emotions are actually a sign of strength, NOT weakness.


References:

Johnson, S. M. (2000). Review of Expressing emotion: Myths, realities, and therapeutic strategies. Canadian Psychology/Psychologie Canadienne, 41(2), 137–138. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0088170

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

Disney magic for New Year!

The "Happiest Place on Earth" has a lot of characters with some pretty great advice.

4978
Disney magic kingdom castle on new years
StableDiffusion

Disney movies are well known and very popular in today's world. Although many people appreciate the plot and the storyline, not many people appreciate the wisdom these characters possess. Every Disney movie has unique advice that can be applied to everyday life. Here are 11 Disney quotes to help start your New Year off right:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

40 Gift Ideas for the Indecisive

It's a time of love, family, memory-making, and gift-giving. But also a time of stressing over the perfect gift.

119261
Christmas gifts around a tree
StableDiffusion

It's officially December. There is less than a month of 2024, and I still feel like yesterday was summer. Now comes the merriest time of the year, the Christmas season.

Everyone has been waiting for this time of year since mid-October (which is way too early, in my opinion) or before. It's a time of love, family, memory-making, and gift-giving. A lot of times when I ask friends and family what they want, I get a lot of "I don't know" or "I don't care."

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Bucket List To Live In The Now

Find excitement in your life and start exploring wherever you are right here, right now.

1176
mu bucket list

I was sitting at my cubicle, now that I am an adult, looking at the rain pouring down on the windowsill, bumming on life, wishing for the rain to just stop for a full day.

There are moments where we count down the hours until work is over and how many more days till the weekend, and this many weeks until something exciting. Or something like that? Well, I was bumming because my next day off from work is not until Memorial Day weekend, which is not until the end of May. And since this is my first year out of college being a “real person,” I am totally missing the winter, spring and summer breaks. I am sure all of us have felt this way even if just for a hot minute…

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

11 Ways To Survive Finals As Told By Leslie Knope

Because you know you're going to be stressed out, and Leslie knows exactly how to survive.

845
Everything hurts and I'm dying

So finals are on their way. That's right everybody, finals are about to start.

But hey, don't panic. Start getting your affairs in order and prepare for a week of hell. Here's a few things Leslie Knope wants you to do to make your finals week just a little bit less stressful:

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

10 Signs You Go To Kent State

You know you're a true Kent Stater when...

909
Kent State University
Great Value Colleges

If you go to or went to Kent State, then more than likely you have done or will do some of these things.

1. You’ve slipped and fallen on the ice at least once.

The winters at Kent are brutal, and while the heated sidewalks and some great snow boots are always a help, there’s no chance you won’t bust it on the ice at least once in your four plus years at school.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments