Advertisement
Two psychologists share helpful insights
That car ahead of you is crawling at a snail’s pace. Your coworker constantly interrupts you. Your (fill in the blank: husband, wife, kids) can’t wash the dishes the right way.
Advertisement
Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy
Americans find an alarming number of things to complain about.
“I’ve heard the rate of complaints in American conversations ranges from 70 to 84 percent,” says psychologist Scott Bea, PsyD. “Yet none of us likes to hang out with a complainer.”
Psychologist Susan Albers, PsyD, agrees: “Complaints can be like viruses; it’s important to stay away from complainers.”
It’s not necessarily easy. We’re born with brains that have a negative bias. “We tend to focus on things that are not right, rather than attending to all of the rightness around us,” says Dr. Bea.
Let that tendency turn into a habit, and the world quickly becomes an unpleasant or dangerous place. Not a fun way to live!
But here are seven strategies you can try when you hear yourself complaining:
Advertisement
It takes time to learn patience on the road.
It takes practice to learn tolerance of others’ annoying habits. (Who among us doesn’t have them?)
It takes persistence to learn to let go of little things, like having the dishes done just so.
But “with some effort, you can learn to pay attention to what is right, helpful and uplifting around you,” says Dr. Bea.
You’ll discover that it adds happiness not just to your day — but to your entire life.
Advertisement
Learn more about our editorial process.
Advertisement
We all experience some stress from time to time, but chronic stress can contribute to health issues like diabetes and cardiovascular disease
Fans may call it ‘nature’s multivitamin,’ but this bee byproduct’s benefits aren’t proven, and it can bring some serious allergy risks
Getting outside, eating a healthy diet, taking up journaling, listening to music — even cuddling a pet — can provide stress relief
It’s a continual process, but through meaningful practices, you can find peace and positivity with yourself
Feeling lonely may increase your risk of cardiovascular disease, depression and high blood pressure
By setting healthy boundaries, reflecting on your motives and expressing your needs, you can find a healthier balance
The science doesn’t support most claims about this bee byproduct, and supplements present potential risks
This much-hyped bee byproduct has one possible health benefit and many unproven ones
Focus on your body’s metabolic set point by eating healthy foods, making exercise a part of your routine and reducing stress
PFAS chemicals may make life easier — but they aren’t always so easy on the human body
While there’s little risk in trying this hair care treatment, there isn’t much science to back up the claims