We already know that being grumpy at work can make you more productive, and that trying too hard at work can actually be bad for your health. We now also know that whingeing at work can be good for you, too.
While many people think that a work-place whinge is a waste of time, a study has revealed that deconstructing the day’s events with a like-minded colleague is actually good for your mental health.
A study conducted by researcher Vanessa Pouthier for the Department of Management and Marketing at the University of Melbourne found that laughing with your colleagues, and having a sneaky whinge with them about work, can have wonderful effects on staff morale and relationships.
Vanessa observed the interactions of a group of doctors and nurses at an American hospital for 12 months, and found that the ritual of a whinge helped colleagues understand each other better.
In fact, Vanessa wrote in her report that having a gossip or a whinge at work can help employees process stress and frustration, and can create a bonding experience between colleagues. Furthermore, Vanessa’s observations of the study found that colleagues who have ‘in-jokes’ are able to turn negative experiences or problems into humorous scenarios.
So, the next time you feel guilty about having a whinge with your work-wife, just remember that you’re simply taking care of your mental health – and bonding with your mate.
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