Meredith Dietz is Lifehacker’s Senior Staff Writer. She earned her bachelor’s degree in English and Communications from Northeastern University, where she graduated as valedictorian of her college.

Complaining—expressing dissatisfaction with how we are treated—can be seen as coping. Coping is cognitive or behavioral activity aimed at managing a stressful situation, referred to as problem-focused ...

You can use coping mechanisms to manage stress and improve your overall well-being. Try adaptive coping, which includes problem-solving, social support, and finding meaning in stress. Maladaptive ...