Is Venting Good For You? Science Has The Answer

Is there anything better when something has really annoyed you than having a good ol’ rant about it? Just getting it all out of your system, missing no details and offering a sprinkling of “mind you…” every couple of minutes?

Well, it turns out that this habit actually… doesn’t help with the anger you’re feeling and can actually prolong it. Nothing is sacred.

Yes, that’s right. According to a 2024 meta-analytic review. Researchers at Ohio State University analyzed 154 studies on anger and found little evidence that venting helps. In some cases, it could increase anger.

There’s no getting around that venting does feel cathartic but when it comes to actually tackling the issue and your feelings around it, venting is all but useless.

“I think it’s really important to bust the myth that if you’re angry you should blow off steam – get it off your chest,” said senior author Brad Bushman, professor of communication at The Ohio State University.

“Venting anger might sound like a good idea, but there’s not a shred of scientific evidence to support catharsis theory.

“To reduce anger, it is better to engage in activities that decrease arousal levels,” Bushman said.

“Despite what popular wisdom may suggest, even going for a run is not an effective strategy because it increases arousal levels and ends up being counterproductive.”

Very upsetting news for me. I love to go for ‘rage walks’.

Instead of falling into the rumination that inevitably comes with venting, leading mental health charity Mind recommend almost doing the exact opposite, saying: “Relax your body. If you can feel your body getting tense, try focusing on each part of your body in turn to tense and then relax your muscles.”

They also add that mindfulness is beneficial, saying: “Mindfulness can help you to be aware of when you’re getting angry. And it can help calm your body and mind.”

Mind have a guide to healthily managing anger on their website.

• Mind, open Monday to Friday, 9am-6pm on 0300 123 3393.
• Samaritans offers a listening service which is open 24 hours a day, on 116 123 (UK and ROI – this number is FREE to call and will not appear on your phone bill).
• CALM (the Campaign Against Living Miserably) offer a helpline open 5pm-midnight, 365 days a year, on 0800 58 58 58, and a webchat service.
• The Mix is a free support service for people under 25. Call 0808 808 4994 or email help@themix.org.uk
• Rethink Mental Illness offers practical help through its advice line which can be reached on 0808 801 0525 (Monday to Friday 10am-4pm). More info can be found on rethink.org.