In the constant quest to improve well-being and mental health, we often encounter habits whose impact can be underestimated. These behaviors embedded in daily routines can have important consequences on brain health.
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This habit, ingrained in our everyday language and often overlooked, has a profound and detrimental impact on our well-being. is act of complainingIt’s a common and seemingly harmless practice, but significant mental and brain health consequences lurk beneath its surface.
A Stanford University study found that exposing yourself to complaints for 30 minutes a day can physically damage the brain, affecting neurons in the hippocampus that are essential for problem-solving and cognitive functions.
(Continue reading: What impact does sleep have on cognitive performance and emotional health?).
Dr. This statement, supported in Travis Bradberry’s book ‘How Complaining Rewires Your Brain for Negativity’, suggests that complaining not only expresses negativity but also rewires the brain’s wiring so that future complaints arise more easily. He also warns that this pattern of negative behavior changes others’ perception of him.
When we complain, our body interprets the situation as an emergency. Activates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis to release cortisolAs neuroscientist Lucia Zavala explains. This state of wakefulness causes the brain to remodel its neurons and dendrites, a phenomenon known as neuroplasticity.
However, chronic exposure to stress and negativity can disrupt the balance of neural circuits, affecting our ability to make decisions, rest, eat, and consume substances such as alcohol and tobacco.
Despite the desire to reduce stress by complaining, long-term effects may be harmfulIt is similar to habits such as smoking or eating fast food. Dr. Zavala warns that changes in gene activity caused by an unhealthy lifestyle may not be completely reversible.
(Interesting: Foods recommended by Harvard to improve memory and stop forgetting).
But there is hope. Research from the University of California revealed that: Developing an attitude of gratitude It can improve mood, energy, and reduce anxiety by lowering cortisol levels. Transforming negative thoughts into positive thoughts and promoting healthy neuroplasticity can become a more beneficial lifestyle.
In his book ‘Three Simple Steps: The Map to Success in Business and Life’, Trevor Blake describes how brain activity is affected by various stimuli, including complaints. Recommend Strategies to protect ourselves from negativity:
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*This content was rewritten with the help of artificial intelligence, based on information from La Nación, and reviewed by a journalist and editor.
Source: Exame
