Should we be talking to our friends about work at all?

It’s very natural to turn to our friends for help when we’re struggling at work. And sometimes, it really can help us to have someone who is just willing to listen.

The positive outcome for the friend is that they can feel like they are ‘getting it off their chest’, and this can be important, says Blackler. Speaking about our work concerns can actually help us distil our thoughts and find solutions.

“When we need to verbalise problems, we will form thoughts into a description, which in itself can be helpful,” she says.

Finally, our friends can sometimes provide the external perspective we need. “Our friends can usually be honest with us and this could help, particularly if there are assumptions made or you are stuck in a cycle of drama,” Blackler says. “They might be able to gently challenge to get an insight into the situation.”

If you have a friend who always seems to moan about work, here’s how you can help