Complaining and Complaining: When Talking to Friends Can Become a Problem. “Co-rumination” is encouraging each other to discuss problems excessively, go over the same topics over and over again, anticipate future problems, and focus on negative feelings.
Rumination activates the stress and anxiety areas of the brain. Because rumination involves circular thinking, it tends to magnify problems. If you don't come to a conclusion after thinking about a topic for two minutes, it's better to leave the topic alone. This approach can also help when talking to friends does not lead to a solution.