Why Talking Helps!

So many articles, posts, info-graphics, videos, posters recommend sharing and talking to someone as a suggestion or advice when it comes to thoughts plaguing your mind, or when there is a feeling of unwell.


But did it ever occur to you why Talking with someone can be helpful?


Let's consider an example,

Senorita is a 50-year-old woman who works as a nurse. She is a mother of two 18 and 12-year-old daughters and looks after her ailing mother.

Her job profile, two teenagers running rampant, and caring for an elder in the house keeps her busy so much that despite being tired, she is unable to fall in a deep sleep.

One day, during her 15-minute break in the hospital, found her talking to a fellow nurse. They incidentally talked about their issues. On hearing Senoritas side of the story, the colleague squeezed her hand.

That day Senorita somehow reached home, finished all her duties, and sat with her daughters and mother laughing.

In this story, Senorita merely shared her story entailing the struggles, routine, etc. there was no miraculous solution to help screen her dilemmas but the mere acknowledgment helped her.

Like Senorita’s story, many such incidences occur around us.

So then, what happens when we discuss or talk about our issues:

It is cathartic


A catharsis means emotional release in psychological terms. The term comes from the Greek language meaning purification, cleansing, or clarification.

Talking helps you vent our and express your thoughts, emotions and feelings. It gives voice to the inner struggles, thoughts.

Its allows room for reflection


When talking, we generally can hear ourselves. This acts as a mirror and thus reflects clarity about what we are going through. It also allows one to question themselves, come up with methods, and or strategies to help solve and work around the difficulties.

It is expressing the covert into an overt reaction

Covert expressions are those that are left unacknowledged by ourselves; by talking we let these come out in a more exercised and controlled manner.

That’s why you may often hear others saying, you will feel a lot lighter when you talk, share with me what you are feeling or hiding inside, etc.

It’s a form of sublimation


Imagine a valve that releases steam. This valve is made up of iron and it has a chance of getting rust. If the valve remains shut, the steam continues to build and can, therefore, rust the valve faster, however, if the valve keeps releasing steam regularly or in short bursts, then it may take longer for the valve to rust.

Humans are the valve and the pent up feelings, thoughts, emotions are the steam, release of which allows an outlet thereby ensuring longer healthy spirit, mind-body connection.

You are not alone



Being acknowledged, getting a hug, a pat, or eye contact when talking to someone is reassuring and may help you feel that you are not alone. There may be instances when people you talk with share their experience and you realize that there is someone out there who may be going through something similar.

By sharing you open yourself to listen to others as well, reflecting emotion and presence of care, which is reciprocated by others. Thus creating a cycle of Bonding.

So let's share because silence is heavier and isolates while sharing and talking creates space of acceptance, care.


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