Isn’t it odd that some people seem to seek out anger and offense? It’s as if the lack of something to complain about is a vacuum that nature abhors.
Maybe it’s people who think that Starbucks switching to a red cup is somehow killing Christmas. Or maybe it’s the reaction to people who think a coffee shop that sells a “Christmas Blend” bag of beans has anything against Christmas by serving lattes in a festive red cup.
Doesn’t matter. We love to complain, and it’s not good for us on several levels.
We know that how we perceive the world creates our reality, and philosophies ranging from Stoicism to Buddhism tell us that we are ultimately in control of that perception. Plus, neuroscience demonstrates that our thoughts and focus literally change the structure of our neural pathways and synapses thanks to neuroplasticity.
So, the “negative brain” becomes more entrenched in negativity through continued reinforcement. All of this constant anger, fear, and stress results in the production of cortisol, which research shows is bad for you in almost too many ways to list.
The universe is not subject to your control, and often things either don’t go your way … or just downright suck. But you always have control of how you choose to perceive and ultimately respond to the suck, and that makes all the difference.
The Science of Happiness: Why complaining is literally killing you
further: health
Nice to Meat You
Now that the media frenzy and general gnashing of teeth over the “meat causes cancer” report has calmed down, do we actually understand what the deal is? Here’s a lucid explanation from a registered dietitian that may help clear the air.
Meat and Cancer: Here’s What You Need to Know
Nobody Walks in LA
When I moved from the ‘burbs of Dallas to Boulder, Colorado, my health improved immediately. Why? Because it’s a walkable city, while in North Texas if you’re seen walking anywhere, you’re presumed homeless and insane.
Moving to a walking neighborhood is good for your blood pressure
Your Head Hurts
For those of you who are more advanced, you face a seemingly impossible physical threshold when trying to level up … or do you? “For all the talk of burning quads and glutes, some scientists now believe that fatigue may be more complicated a process than originally thought, one that is as much psychological as it is physiological.”
further: wealth
Attention Please
“Researchers like Edward Hallowell have documented our declining ability to manage our attention. ‘Modern office life and an increasingly common condition called attention deficit trait, are turning steady executives into frenzied underachievers.'”
How to Thrive in the Attention Economy
The Downside of Living Longer
Who wants to live forever? Plenty of people, apparently, but even if that’s not you, you might need to plan on living longer. And that means you need more money, which brings us to the sexy topic of longevity annuities.
Considering Longevity Annuities
Poor Personality Traits
“They say it takes all types — but some types have a harder time saving than others. Are you allowing some of your less flattering character traits to derail your finances? Here are four personality types that sabotage saving.”
Is Your Personality Sabotaging Your Saving?
further: wisdom
Color Me Calm
We’ve covered the benefits of coloring as a meditative practice here and here. The author of this piece discovered those benefits for herself, after being inspired by watching Ozzy Osborne color with markers. Yes, Ozzy.
The Unexpected Thing That Happened When I Started Coloring
I’m Not Sure (And That’s Okay)
We tend to hate ambiguity and uncertainty, which is where the concept of the “need for closure” comes from. But let’s face it, surviving and thriving in the context of the overwhelm and chaos of modern life means that closure doesn’t always come quickly (or at all). Here are some ways to flip the script on not knowing.
The Power of Embracing Uncertainty
Shallow Happy
This article is a couple of years old, but somehow it popped onto my radar this week. It makes a nice bookend to the opening piece — we complain when things don’t go our way, and we’re “happy” when they do. But isn’t there something more meaningful than that?
There’s More to Life Than Being Happy
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I certainly won’t complain if you give Further a share:
Keep going-
Brian Clark
Tour Guide
Further
