Healthline Wellness Wire

In a Nutshell

I’m tired of getting told to practice positive thinking and gratitude to feel better when sometimes I just want to scream. Journaling has always been a therapeutic outlet for me, so when I stumbled upon the concept of vent writing (or rage writing), I knew I needed to try it. Well, I did, and it definitely helped to relieve some tension. Below, learn how it may help you, too.

But first, these new stories are worth a read:

•	Can you really get a cold from being in the rain?

•	A new way your gut microbiome can affect your health

•	Side effects of isolation, plus the importance of connection

Be well,
Morgan Mandriota
Newsletter Editor, Healthline

Written by Morgan Mandriota
November 2, 2026 • 3 min read

what’s got us buzzing

Rage writing: A creative emotional outlet for anger

❤️‍🔥 Why vent writing can be helpful. Research suggests journaling can help you reduce stress, process emotions, and boost your well-being. Vent writing, in particular, can help you honor and release pent up emotions, which could be a cathartic experience, says Texas-based psychotherapist Janae Kim, MA, LMFT. It can also help you avoid reacting out of emotion or starting unnecessary arguments!

💥 Risks of repressing emotions. Let’s face it, things aren’t always sunshine and rainbows. “While it’s important to not lose sight of the positive aspects in your life, minimizing the ‘negative’ emotions that keep surfacing have real consequences,” says Kim. Avoiding your feelings –– consciously or not –– can ultimately lead them to show up in negative ways. Think: high blood pressure, anxiety, strained relationships, and unhealthy coping strategies.

📝 How to rage write. This practice can be done in the heat of the moment when you’re trying to divert anger or as a daily practice to help you process emotions. Whenever you’re ready, you can start by following these steps:

Be honest, open, and uncensored about whatever’s bothering you. (Freewrite or answer questions such as, “Who was the last person to annoy you? And what did they do?” “Did anything frustrating happen at work today?” Let it all out without a filter!)
Read and reflect once you’re done. Did you notice or learn anything about yourself or the situations you wrote about?
Don’t share it with anyone! Store the journal entry in a private place.
Repeat every day or as needed.

Remember that rage writing can’t take the place of therapy or medication. If you have anger issues or a hard time managing your emotions, consider speaking with a therapist.

Interested in mental health stories like this? Sign up for our Anxiety and Depression newsletter here!

Great finds

Lighten up, will ya?

Carex Day-Light Classic Plus Bright Light Therapy Lamp

Research suggests light therapy can help improve symptoms of depression and seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Healthline editors ranked Carex as one of the best SAD lamps in 2023 to boost mood due to its powerful light strength, big glare-free screen, and adjustable stand. If you’re feeling down from recent weather changes and less sunshine, using this lamp every day might be an effective way to send the darkness away.

Buy now

Every product we recommend has gone through Healthline's vetting process. If you buy through links on this page, we may receive a small commission or other tangible benefit. Healthline has sole editorial control over this newsletter. Potential uses for the products listed here are not health claims made by the manufacturers. Healthline is owned by RVO Health.

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What we’re reading next

💪🏻 Top 10 tips for staying healthy. I was surprised by a few suggestions on this list, especially “Know your numbers.” (I don’t know mine.)

🛏️ Can menopause cause insomnia? Learn about the connection between this major life event and not being able to sleep well.

💨 Ways to relieve trapped gas. Here’s how to let it all out. (And we’re not talking about vent writing anymore.)

🥱 What causes excessive yawning? Surprise! There are a lot of reasons aside from just being sleepy.

Thanks for reading! We hope you have a lovely weekend. See you again on Monday.

Until next time,

Take care of yourself, and we’ll see
you again soon!

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