Pessimists chance depression/cardiovascular problems
Constant complaining may seem harmless but it drains our positive outlook and could induce stress, which can then negatively affect the brain. This was highlighted in studies by the University of California (UC), US, which found that chronic stress increases a person’s chances of anxiety/mood disorders later in life while short-term stress could lead to communication problems associated with memory and learning.
Another study which surveyed nearly 1,000 participants found that optimists tend to be healthier than pessimists – those who considered themselves highly optimistic had a 55% lower risk of death from all causes and a 23% lower risk of death from heart failure. This could be due to major depression, which stems from a negative outlook, and thus contributes to cardiovascular disease.
Continuous complaining could also influence how we handle challenges. Sebastian Droesler, a Hong Kong-based counselling psychologist, explains that venting could ease some pain and discomfort, but such default behaviour can prevent a person from coming up with proper solutions to a problem they’re facing.
While it is normal to feel frustrated or annoyed at times, there is a difference between purposeful complaining and complaining for the sake of it. According to a 2014 study, mindfulness can change our thoughts for the better and pushes for better actions as well. Happier, more mindful people may be better at modulating their complaints, if they feel that it will make a difference. On the other hand, less mindful individuals may have more useless complaints.
Droesler advises mindfulness and says that instead of complaining we can control experiences by tuning in to ourselves and understanding how our emotions affect our thought/actions.The practice could eventually rewire our brain into thinking more positively in stressful situations and guides it towards solving problems rather than dwelling on them.
