Jenny and Brad were in an eight-year relationship when they decided to get married. For them, the eight years they spent together were enough to prove that they will get along when they finally live in one house. But a few months before their wedding, Jenny found out that Brad has been cheating. In the ensuing debacle of whether or not to give their relationship another try, Jenny lost a lot of weight. She went from being average in weight to underweight that her doctor called her attention to it.
She decided to forgive Brad after several concessions and talks. When they got married, she lost so much weight because of the stress of the relationship that her wedding dress would fall off. She has always been petite, but the stress and the pressure of the nuptials distressed her so much that she had to seek medical attention for it.
This proved the link between healthy relationships and physical and mental health. Personal relationships have so much impact on your life, but you don’t always think about what they can do to you physically and mentally. Studies showed that people who are happy with their personal relationships live longer than those who are isolated.
Feel-good Hormones
Higher blood levels of oxytocin — a hormone that relieves stress and improves mood — can make a huge difference in people’s relationships. How can you get high levels of this hormone? You get it from hugging, touching, rubbing the shoulder, and any physical contact such as kissing and having sex. That’s why problems almost always occur when men suffer from low levels of testosterone. When they have libido problems, that does not only affect them but their partners, too. A testosterone replacement procedure might be needed to address this problem.
Weight Gain
The common belief is that couples slack off once they get together, and that’s because they’re happy. On the contrary, happy couples take care of each other’s health. They go to the gym and set goals. They form a bond trying to get each other to be in shape and in good health. When they pack on the pounds, it’s usually a sign of conflict that causes them to overeat and not mind their weight gain.
Intimacy
Regular physical intimacy can reduce stress. The belief that couples who are happier are more compatible in bed might be true. They are healthier mentally and they are more satisfied with their relationship, too. Simple things such as holding hands while watching TV can do a lot to relieve you of stress and anxiety.
Sleep
Couples in happy relationships sleep better than those in conflict. Sleeping next to someone you love and trust should be comforting. It should help you sleep better. If it does not, then you’re more likely to feel stressed and fatigued than if you just sleep alone in your own bed. Couples on the rocks have a harder time sleeping next to each other. When they do sleep away from each other, they toss and turn and worry about the impact of that on their relationship. Will sleeping in different beds affect your relationship more than the actual conflict? Yes, it might.
Anxiety
Marital problems can lead to generalized anxiety disorder and social anxiety. The problem with developing anxiety problems is that they often exacerbate the issues in the relationship. Instead of being able to communicate well, those with anxiety problems find it hard to trust even their partners. Studies, on the other hand, showed that those who are in happy relationships are less likely to develop anxiety disorders.
Blood Pressure
Couples in happy marriages have a lower blood pressure than those who are always in conflict with each other. High blood pressure leads to many problems, health-wise. You might develop cardiovascular problems, as well as stroke and aneurysm. In many cases, hypertension can be life-threatening when coupled with other medical conditions.
Survival Rates
Cancer patients are more likely to survive if their partners are supportive. In one study, those who survived cancer and are happily married are more likely to live for another 10 years. Divorcees, widows, and widowers have lower lifespan even after surviving cancer. Loneliness and stress have a negative impact on a survivor’s physical and mental health.
Happiness and physical and mental health are almost always connected. You cannot separate the state of your emotions from the state of your health. When you work consciously to become happier in whatever stage of your life you are in, you will also feel physically and mentally healthier.