It can be hard to talk to people about how you feel. You may be worried that they won’t take your feelings seriously. You may also be worried about what will happen after you tell them your problems. Issues and problems may affect your mental health negatively. You may be asking; What ARE the benefits of talking about my problems? Well, firstly, the truth is that you have to trudge forward until you can make problems change. Perhaps someone else can help, but chances are they can’t take away your troubles. Not wanting to look bad in the eyes of a person you love or respect may keep you from sharing what’s on your mind. Yet, if someone loves you, he or she will help you deal with that issue. Talking about it can help give solutions on how to get through a problem, especially with trusted friends, adults, or people.

Talking to someone you trust about something upsetting may help you to:

• sort through the problem
• see the situation more clearly
• look at the problem in a new or different way
• release built-up tension – this can help you to gain new insight into the situation that is causing the problem
• find out that you are not alone! – you may find that many people share your feelings, too.
• identify options or solutions you hadn’t thought of before.

The number one rule; Don’t keep all your feelings and problems to yourself! If you don’t talk about your problems, you may find your pent-up tensions or feelings burst out in a way that is embarrassing. You might also find that things may get worse if you don’t try to get on top of them straight away.

It is important to find ways to express your feelings. This can help you to release built-up tensions and make better decisions. There are a number of ways you can express how you feel, including:

• set aside some time for yourself, even if it is just ten minutes
• write about how you feel – this can be a useful way to explore your feelings. Some people keep diaries, others just write down whatever comes into their head. You may want to write a story about whatever is bothering you
• walk away from situations that might stress you out or make you angry
• self-talk – consciously change negative thought patterns to help you look at things in a more positive light
• relaxation is one way to focus your thoughts and consider the big picture. Is your stressful situation worth getting stressed about? Will it matter in the long run?
• play sport – sport gives you plenty of chances to get rid of pent up energy
• be creative – draw or paint; make a collage
• use music – singing, playing or listening to music (or just shouting) can all help. Dance to music at home, or go out and dance as much as you like.

In conclusion, again, don’t wait, communicate! Having feelings all bottled up isn’t healthy for anybody. Talk about it.