This summer I wrote about a study that showed women who keep their feelings to themselves during an argument with their partner were more likely to have depression and irritable bowel syndrome, and also more likely to die.
A study published this week in the Archives of Internal Medicine provides further support that having a poor marital relationship contributes to bad health - specifically bad heart health. Researchers in Britain studied over 9,000 men and women. They asked the participants questions about their close relationships (including their marriages), such as how much support they receive and how much stress and worry the relationship causes. After adjusting their calculations for other factors that can affect heart disease, such as age, obesity, high cholesterol, depression, and work stress, they found that people who reported negative close personal relationships were more likely to have heart disease and heart attacks.
Now this is not to say you should run out and divorce your partner if your relationship isn't quite up to snuff. However, it does suggest that relationship maintenance might be in order - especially if you have children or jobs that limit couple time. Schedule a "date night." Make time for sex. Remind yourself why you got together in the first place - and tell each other about those great qualities. Also make time for yourself - even if it's only 10 minutes in a hot bath. If these steps don't lead to improvement, couples therapy is always a great option.
A study published this week in the Archives of Internal Medicine provides further support that having a poor marital relationship contributes to bad health - specifically bad heart health. Researchers in Britain studied over 9,000 men and women. They asked the participants questions about their close relationships (including their marriages), such as how much support they receive and how much stress and worry the relationship causes. After adjusting their calculations for other factors that can affect heart disease, such as age, obesity, high cholesterol, depression, and work stress, they found that people who reported negative close personal relationships were more likely to have heart disease and heart attacks.
Now this is not to say you should run out and divorce your partner if your relationship isn't quite up to snuff. However, it does suggest that relationship maintenance might be in order - especially if you have children or jobs that limit couple time. Schedule a "date night." Make time for sex. Remind yourself why you got together in the first place - and tell each other about those great qualities. Also make time for yourself - even if it's only 10 minutes in a hot bath. If these steps don't lead to improvement, couples therapy is always a great option.
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