Complaining may feel good, but too much could affect your brain, body and relationships

Complaining is a common human experience, with the average adult doing it 15 to 30 times a day, about 8 minutes and 45 seconds. This behavior, driven by our negativity bias, is beneficial in some ways but can be harmful when overdone. In moderation, complaining can help solve problems, but excessive complaining can have negative effects on brain function, physical health, and relationships.

Research from Stanford University suggests that frequent complaining can shrink the hippocampus, a brain region crucial for memory, learning, problem-solving, and spatial navigation. Additionally, complaining triggers the release of cortisol, a stress hormone that diverts blood, oxygen, and energy away from non-essential systems. Over time, this can increase the risk of heart disease, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, and strokes.

Furthermore, complaining can alter our perception of the world, making us more pessimistic. A study in the Archives of General Psychiatry found that optimists have a 55% lower risk of death from all causes and a 23% lower risk of dying from heart disease compared to pessimists. Even hearing someone complain can negatively impact one's mood and outlook, as humans tend to empathize with those around them.

While it's important to support friends going through difficult times, constantly exposing ourselves to negativity through prolonged listening to complaints can influence our own emotional state.

To complain less, researchers recommend practicing gratitude and focusing on positive aspects of life. Taking a moment each day to reflect on things we're grateful for can help shift our perspective. While it may seem challenging amidst rising living costs, dealing with rude strangers, poor customer service, and stressful workplaces, staying mindful of negative situations and responding positively when possible can help maintain better relationships and overall well-being.