How To Stop Complaining On Social Media

Why you should not complain on Facebook or any other social media sites

I know everyone has seen it. So and so is complaining about how her “ice cream fell on the floor.” Or how “the dog drank out of the toilet again.” You may be guilty of it too!

Anyway, this may seem like innocent venting online, but what’s actually happening here? Research is showing that constant griping can actually make you more likely to suffer from stress, anxiety, or depression.

Why does this happen? Let’s plug the answer into your brain.

Complaining does have its benefits

Robin M. Kowalski of Clemson University shows us that beside the immediate satisfaction, there are some benefits to complaining. Sometimes all we need is to be satisfied is for someone to hear us out or agree with our complaint. We can form an instant bond by getting listened to or listening to someone’s complaints. Especially if these are mutual complaints.

Kowalski also states the complaining can create a distance from the problem, therefore easing our mind even though the problem hasn’t changed.

So, does talking about your problems make you feel better? Yes, but you need to keep the complaining to a minimum…

…because if you complain too much…

…bad things could happen down the road.

First, complaining too much can bore people who hear it all the time. You begin to attract a certain reputation on your head. One that is not positive.

Second, chronic complainers make everyone else around them unhappy. They just want you to listen to them and have absolutely no idea that they annoy and irritate people who listen.

Third, people who over complain rarely tend to look for a solution to their problems. They strike down any type of fix someone may have for them.

Fourth, a high-cost, is unhappiness. Studies show that we usually believe what we hear ourselves saying. You run the risk of falling into your negativity, thus making life more stressful.

Complaining can make you more likely to suffer from stress, anxiety, or depression.

So, how can we NOT be one of these people?

No, you don’t have to go to rehab, but here are three awesome tips to help you stop:

Time to change your expectations.

Expecting way too much out of a situation could lead to constant disappointment. Sometimes you just have to accept that your standards may be too high. Less disappointment will lead to less complaining and more happiness.

Change the way you’re thinking.

Usually we think about the negative in the situation instead of looking at the positive. From now on when you start thinking negative, try find something positive in the situation. This requires major practice, but is super effective.

Start being proactive.

If you’ve got a problem think of how you can solve it. Most of time, you can take action immediately to, at least somewhat, help the problem. By being proactive you are not being a victim of your problems, but rather in charge of them.

Applying this to Facebook and other social media

The good thing about social media is you have to the chance to read over what you have written before you post it.

If you know what you are about to post is a complaint, give it about 10 minutes before you post it. Just let your rant sit there for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes decide if it’s worth posting or not.

Usually after you’ve had some time to calm down you’ll realize that it’s not worth posting anymore.

I challenge you to try this next time you are going to complain on your social media.

Now what do you do?

If you know someone who complains all the time, show this to them. It may change their life!

If you’ve got any stories or tips to help chronic complainers, make sure you leave a comment below.

And last but not least, if you liked this article and want to see more like it, enter your email below to jump on my list and get the articles sent directly to your inbox.

Originally published on our Ninth Digital