Is someone you love a complainer? Set a timer.

If someone you love or care about is a chronic complainer – give them three minutes. 

That’s it. You’re going to have to politely remove yourself from the complaining conversation after that. Chronic complainers can suck the energy and good mood right out of you and you need to take control for your own sake. According to Judy Kuriansky, author of “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to a Healthy Relationship,” Complainers often feel unhappy, lonely, criticized or misunderstood and it’s not your place to solve their problems or change their personality. 

After about three minutes of allowing them to air their grievances, try explaining to them that you sympathize and then ask if you can talk about something more pleasant for a while. If that doesn’t work, it’s time to go. If your complainer is a reasonable person, they’ll get the message after a few times and maybe even tailor their complaint sessions with you.