TALKING TO REDUCE EMOTIONAL STRESS
Jul
20
“Studies show that simply talking about our problems and sharing our negative emotions with someone we trust can be profoundly healing—reducing stress, strengthening our immune system, and reducing physical and emotional distress” (Pennebaker, Kiecolt-Glaser, & Glaser, 1988).
When I got my Masters in Stress Management at the U of Washington, I did my thesis on “The Difference Between Men and Women and How We Use Social Support”. Studies also suggest that we, as women, seem to be better listeners because we work more from the right side of our brain.
The Divided Brain is another interesting subject. The left brain is more focussed. Experts define the right brain as handling things we don’t know and the left handles things we’ve already learned. Therefore, even men score better in stress reduction studies when they go to women therapists.
The main point I'm making is that talking, even gossiping, are the best ways to reduce emotional distress in our lives.
