Need to Blow Steam? Try Venting at These Online Listeners

Everyone has things they need to get off their chest. Whether you just had a bad day at work and want to blow off steam or are going through an extended valley, having someone to talk to can relieve some of the stress and pressure.

7 Cups of Tea (shortened to 7 Cups) is a free website that allows you to connect with thousands of volunteer listeners. You can anonymously and securely confide in them about your day, discuss all kinds of issues, or even get some advice.

Please note: This website is not for those who are suicidal or in crisis. If you need serious help, contact a local emergency number.

When looking for listeners, you can filter by those who claim certain categories as their specialty (such as anxiety, parenting, or bullying) and see who has been highly rated by other users. Once in a chatroom, a bot will ask you some questions about how you’re feeling so that your listener knows where to focus.

All listeners on the site must go through active listening training. You can view how others rated them on helpfulness, empathy, and response time. Still, since these aren’t officially licensed therapists, it might take a few tries before you land a winner.

If you don’t want to talk with a person in real time, you can browse Q&A message boards, read some self-help guides, or perform solo exercises to boost your mood. It’s simply a haven away from the craziness of life, and its usefulness cannot be overlooked.

Will you try using 7 Cups? How do you get things off your chest? Let us know what you think by commenting.

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