When it’s good to be a GOSSIP GIRL

It can be surprisingly helpful for your mental health

Few of us can resist sharing a bit of chit-chat about other people – according to the experts, 60% of adult conversations are about someone who isn’t there. But now we can enjoy this guilty pleasure, because science says that there are benefits to having a good blabber behind closed doors.

SOCIAL SUPER GLUE

Gossiping is one of the easiest ways to connect with others, as confiding in someone provides the ultimate binding tool. ‘It’s a great way to demonstrate common values and sense of humour, as well as share worries and seek support,’ says counsellor Chloe Ward. ‘And having a mutual dislike creates a stronger bond than sharing similar likes.’

It can also help us build personal relationships. ‘Humans have an innate desire to know about other people’s lives,’ explains Chloe. ‘People are motivated to engage in gossip in order to bond, to entertain themselves, to vent emotions and to maintain social order within a group.’ It builds a sense of belonging.

STRESS RELIEF

Feel like a weight has been lifted off your shoulders after a good session? ‘This is because the frustration that caused you to gossip in the first place has been released,’ explains Chloe. Having a stressful day? Gossiping with someone and venting your annoyances – even for just five minutes a day – can help to reduce stress levels. Gossiping causes our levels of oxytocin (the love hormone) to increase, while decreasing levels of the stress hormone, cortisol.

SELF-IMPROVEMENT

It may seem counterintuitive, but gossiping can sometimes improve your feelings of empathy. ‘It may allow people to understand a difficult personal situation that another is facing,’ explains Chloe. And hearing positive stories about others provides motivation for self-improvement.