Response Magic 
Research shows that habitual complaining affects us mentally,
emotionally, and physically. Such behavior may cause
or worsen stress, sapping our energy and desire to pursue our
dreams.
Above all that, it just doesn't feel good to complain, or hear
complaints. They're negative by nature and they don't help resolve
the situation you wish were different. Complaining can also keep you from being
a likable person.
If you want to start
attracting and creating the success you desire, you'll want to stop
complaining. Here are seven ways to break the habit of complaining, backed by
science.
Laugh
Research
from Loma Linda University in California reveals that the
simple act of laughter increases endorphins and sends mood-lifting dopamine to
the brain. This hormone also has the power to lower stress levels by helping us
process emotional responses and experience pleasure.
This solution is pretty simple: Bring more laughter into your
life. As Law
of Attraction advocate Steve Harvey says, "Laughter
attracts joy and releases negativity." If you allow more joy and laughter
in your life, you won't feel the pains and stresses as much. You won't focus on
them.
Whether it's funny TV
shows, comedy podcasts, or time with friends and family, there are more ways
than ever to get laughing.
Try the "Rubber Band
Technique"
We've all heard the
story of Ivan Pavlov, the Russian physiologist who discovered that any activity
or object he associated with food--yes, his famous bell!--would trigger the
same salivation response in his dogs. What did he really discover? The power of
conditioning.
You can apply this same principle to stop complaining. Put a rubber
band around your wrist. When you complain about something, think
about the complaint while you pull the rubber band back. Then release it so it
stings the inside of your wrist.
This simple action serves as a physical and mental reminder that
you're complaining, and to reinforce the negativity around the action. It works
by bringing
subconscious acts into your daily consciousness. I did this when I
wanted to stop my own complaining, and it worked.
See through the lens of
gratitude
We tend to complain when we focus on the negative, not the
positive. Keep
a gratitude journal and write down three things you're grateful
for each night. This habit will help you see your life through the lens of
gratitude, and not lack. As a result, you'll simply see fewer things that
prompt you to complain in the first place. Some schools of thought believe we
can change our brain chemistry this way, and this process will help rewire you
to see the positive.
Examine your
relationships
Author and motivational speaker Jim Rohn says
it best: "You are the average of the five people you spend the most time
with." When trying to stop a bad habit, it helps to surround yourself with
people--inspirational speakers or leaders, mentors, family and friends--who
embody the same behaviors and discipline you want to live by.
Consider the power of your closest ties by examining how your
relationships make you feel and behave. Take steps to end
any toxic relationships, and invite more positive people into your
inner circle and life.
Meditate
Matthieu Ricard, a trained biochemist turned Buddhist monk,
suggests we can train our minds to generate an ongoing sense of serenity and
fulfillment through meditation. He
cites brain plasticity, which is the ability of repetition and
reinforcement to alter our synaptic connections.
I credit my regular
meditation practice with raising my baseline for awareness and serenity, and
lowering my baseline for stress and anxiety. After a few weeks of practicing
meditation, I became more grounded and small things didn't bother me as much.
Get more sleep
Studies show that
getting more sleep helps us to be happier and more positive, while also
building the mental acuity needed to stay focused. How much sleep do adults
need? Research suggests between seven and nine hours nightly.
Exercise out the stress
There are few better ways to counter negativity than by getting
your blood flowing and releasing endorphins through exercise. According
to the Mayo Clinic, exercise has been shown to reduce stress and
ward off feelings of anxiety or depression, which can lead to chronic
complaining.
Putting it all together
Complaining is a
negative behavior that affects our happiness, attitude, and ability to perform.
Learn from what science teaches us about this bad mental habit--and how to
bring more positive practices into your life starting today.
Source: Inc.com
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