We're still in the middle of dry January, but the next ‘challenge’ has already begun

We're still in the middle of dry January, but the next ‘challenge’ has already begun: going 30 days without complaining. Perhaps it's strategically planned, trying not to whine about not drinking alcohol during the alcohol-free period. I have no doubt: for me, it's simply impossible to go 30 days without complaining at all. Complaining a little now and then is wonderful. You feel the tension of irritations leaving your body with every word you say. Before you know it, you feel completely relaxed again and just continue with your day.

Research has already shown: complaining is healthy

Your health must be the most important reason not to keep your annoyances to yourself for 30 days. We have long known that stress is not good for you. It can have serious consequences for your health. So the main question is, are there also health benefits to not complaining? Certainly. Not complaining ensures that you have a more positive mindset. This makes you look at everything in life a bit more rosy, and it's easier to think in solutions. Additionally, complaining sometimes causes you to experience even more stress, as you go back to figure out exactly what happened after a stressful event to explain it well to someone else. This means that you experience one stressful moment twice, instead of letting it slide off you. What is also very nice about not complaining is that your surroundings find it much more pleasant to be around you when you're not constantly whining.

Of course, we need to add some nuance: not complaining also has a downside

As mentioned, you already feel that you can gradually let go of the tension while complaining. If you never complain at all, it can lead to a large buildup of emotions. Additionally, complaining is also a way to connect with others. A shared annoyance creates recognition between each other, and the conversation about it gives the other person the idea that you are being vulnerable. As a result, people unconsciously feel that you can be trusted. It can therefore be more difficult to connect with others if you don't occasionally honestly say what you find annoying today. Some even call the overly optimistic way of thinking ‘toxic positivity’. In some cases, it is simply inappropriate not to acknowledge the negative situation. Not everything needs to have a positive spin.