The Hidden Cost of Gossip (To Your Health and Reputation)

Let’s be honest — we’ve all done it.

We call it “sharing information.”
We call it “just venting.”
We call it “trying to help.”

But when you strip it down to its core, gossip is usually idle talk about someone who isn’t present — and it rarely builds anyone up.

And here’s the real question:

When you gossip… who actually looks bad?

🤔 What Is Gossip, Really?

The dictionary defines gossip as:

“Idle talk or rumor, especially about the personal or private affairs of others.”

The key difference between healthy conversation and gossip isn’t the topic — it’s the motive.

Ask yourself:

• Why am I sharing this?
• Is this helpful?
• Would I say this if the person were standing here?
• Am I trying to feel superior?

Most gossip is rooted in comparison, insecurity, or the need to belong.

And while it may feel like you are part of the group in the moment… it almost always backfires.

Eventually, you become the topic.

🧠 Why Do We Gossip?

Often, when we focus on someone else’s flaws, we are avoiding looking at our own.

It’s far easier to:

• Put someone else under a microscope
  Than it is to
• Take an honest inventory of ourselves

Talking about Susan or Joe’s shortcomings can feel safer than confronting our own struggles. But growth never happens through deflection — it happens through reflection.

❤️ How Gossip Affects Your Health

Here’s where it gets interesting.

Negativity isn’t neutral.

Chronic negative speech and thinking patterns:

• Increase stress hormones
• Promote emotional tension
• Create social distrust
• Lead to isolation
• Contribute to mental and physical toxicity

You cannot constantly speak poison and expect to feel peaceful.

Stress impacts:

• Your immune system
• Your digestion
• Your sleep
• Your spinal tension and posture

At Body Traxx Chiropractic, we see every day how stress shows up physically in the body. Tight shoulders. Headaches. Mid-back tension. Jaw clenching. Fatigue.

Mental stress becomes physical stress.

And gossip feeds that stress cycle.

✝️ Spiritual Perspective

Nearly every major religion warns against gossip.

One of the Ten Commandments given to Moses says:

“Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.”

Why such strong language?

Because gossip damages:

• Reputations
• Relationships
• Integrity
• Spiritual peace

It erodes trust — and trust is foundational to community.

🔁 How to Break the Gossip Habit

If you want to stop gossiping:

✔ Don’t participate
✔ Don’t listen
✔ Don’t spread it
✔ Change the subject
✔ Surround yourself with people who elevate conversations

Listen to your inner voice. That small discomfort in your gut when a conversation turns negative? That’s your integrity speaking.

Ask yourself:

How would I feel if this conversation were about me?

Life is about making healthy choices:

• Good nutrition
• Regular movement
• Proper sleep
• Chiropractic care
• Positive relationships
• A clear conscience

Gossip adds absolutely nothing to that equation.

🌿 Choose Health in Every Area of Life

Health isn’t just physical.

It’s emotional.
It’s relational.
It’s spiritual.

At Body Traxx Chiropractic in Pflugerville, we believe true wellness means reducing stress — not adding to it.

Protect your spine.
Protect your peace.
Protect your reputation.

Choose conversations that build people up — including yourself.

If you’d like help reducing physical stress in your body, we’re here for you.

Body Traxx Chiropractic
📍 1010 Old Austin-Hutto Road, Pflugerville, TX
📞 512-647-8424
🚶 Walk-ins welcome (No appointments needed)
🕒 Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 10–7 | Sat 10–2

Be Blessed

Dr. Jeffrey G Boerger DC