Venting Doesn't Reduce Anger, but Something Else Does, Study Says

Can we edit the title to remove the clickbait?

> Venting Doesn't Reduce Anger, but Reducing Physiological Arousal Does, Study Says

Actual content:

> Calming activities reduced anger in the lab and the field, they found, and across other variables like methods of instruction or participant demographics. Effective arousal-reducing activities included slow-flow yoga, mindfulness, progressive muscle relaxation, diaphragmatic breathing, and taking a timeout.

This is fascinating. I’m lately very pissed off and feeling hopeless due to many reasons (not being able to afford a house and missing out on incredible mortgage rates playing a huge factor, coupled with the uncertainty of the job market). It’s devastating that I wasn’t prepared and such an opportunity is never coming back again is infuriating.

I have definitely started ruminating and regretting so many choices — previously I used to take to stoicism but even that is not being effective. Maybe I’m now ruminating, but I just can’t imagine being calm about the whole situation. Venting hasn’t helped, and typing this message has just made me angrier. Maybe I should try being calm… but at least I’m able to channel my anger, not so sure about channeling the calm :(

I find it really interesting that catharsis doesn't work - and that, more often than not, the person with a vested interest in ensuring they maintain the 'right' to vent their anger, is usually doing so as a means of social control, more so than personal development.

Whenever I've pointed out the issues with catharsis within my own immediate group (friends/family) I'm confronted with one of two viewpoints: a) my 'understanding of psychology is faulty, of course venting works", or b) "right, I should try mindfulness as a solution to my anger", where those in group A) are usually also quite narcissistic and borderline, and group B) more self-reflective/aware.

Heat increases anger also, air conditioning helps. In fact there are lots of known triggers of anger, being lied to, being betrayed, having possessions stolen, getting yelled at in your workplace, losing a bet, losing a contest, feeling pain, being made fun of, being publicly humiliated, stormy weather (maybe related to pain from joints), withdrawal from drugs, steroids (roid rage), getting cut off in traffic, almost dying, having someone you love almost die or actually die, and lots more. Not all easy to fix or avoid, but some of them like stopping steroid use or treating pain can reduce anger. It would be interesting to see a catalog of everything known to trigger anger. Some causes are obviously emotional, some are obviously chemical, some physical (hitting your thumb with a hammer).

So now I am in conflict, based on my personal experience venting reduces anger, but now some scientist with bell curve is saying my personal experience is wrong? What do?

I totally believe some combo of CBT, exertion, mindfulness works when you're angry. That kind of habit reprogramming worked for me. (It was really hard to change.)

The other half of the solution is to short-circuit anger, prevent it from even happening.

When Anger Hurts https://www.amazon.com/When-Anger-Hurts-Quieting-Within/dp/1...

TLDR: expectations -> disappointment -> resentment -> blaming -> anger

So the trick is to change your expectations. Not eliminate or lower, exactly. But figuring out how to have realistic expectations. Which stops the anger cascade before it can start.

YMMV. Good luck.