Poll: Expressing emotions is healthy, but few do it often

Only 15 percent of Americans say they let their feelings out often although 80 percent believe it is healthy to do so. These are some of the key findings released March 22 in a national study exploring perceptions about emoting: "Letting It Out in America: The Social Landscape for Expressing Emotions."

"Letting it out" refers to expressing emotions more freely. The study of 1,003 Americans 18 and older, conducted on behalf of Kimberly-Clark Corporation's Kleenex brand tissue by The Segmentation Company, a division of Yankelovich, reveals that 63 percent of Americans think people are too bottled-up when it comes to their emotions.

"Research provides compelling evidence that letting out our emotions in constructive ways has significant health benefits; yet as a society, we value the ability to keep our emotions in check," says David Bersoff, Ph.D., senior vice president, Yankelovich. "This study helps us better understand what people think about letting it out, and the surprising gap between people's knowledge that it is good to do and their actual behavior. Americans have a real need to become more comfortable with releasing their emotions."

Following are additional key findings from the national study. For more results, details on the Kleenex brand Let It Out Tour and to view and share Let It Out moments through words, video or photographs, visit http://www.letitout.com/.

A Nation on 'Letting It Out' - Key Study Findings

Why Let It Out?

Given Americans' belief that releasing emotions is good for them, it's surprising that only 40 percent let it out in the average week and one in 10 (11 percent) can't even remember the last time they did so.

• People believe letting it out is good for their emotional (86 percent) and physical (83 percent) health.
• Yet only half (51 percent) of those surveyed say they let it out about the right amount.
• The top two emotions people feel after letting it out are "relief" (57 percent) and "at peace" (32 percent).
• Other cited benefits: increased confidence and happiness.

Where do Americans Let It Out?

To let it out in a positive way, nearly three in four Americans (73 percent) just need a little help from someone else. People most often (66 percent of the time) express emotions to their significant other. The second most-desired audience is among friends (45 percent). "At work" (33 percent), and "when writing an e-mail" (30 percent) are also top places where people let it out.

The Times They Are A-Changin'

Though Americans may not let it out as often as they should, they're making progress. Three-fourths (75 percent) of those surveyed agree that people are more likely to let it out now than they were 20 years ago. This movement is largely driven by today's young adults who express themselves more than ever before.

• While 60 percent of young adults (18-34) believe those who let it out are happier, only 30 percent of adults over 50 agree.
• Young adults are more reliant on others to help them let it out, such as a good friend (64 percent) or someone to listen (62 percent).
• Seventy-six percent of Americans believe kids and teens let it out more than adults.

Are New Yorkers Losing Their Edge?

Nearly two-thirds (63 percent) of Americans believe New Yorkers let it out the most. However, just 38 percent of New Yorkers say they let it out in the last week, compared with half of Los Angeles residents and 44 percent of those from Chicago and Washington, D.C.