Conflict in marriages and marriage breakdown is stressful, and this stress is bad for your health. A scientific study has reported evidence that women suffer more physiologically and psychologically than men when relationships are going through rough patches. Men also suffer depression, but this does not tend to impact their health in the same manner.The study, co-authored by Nancy Henry and Professor Tim Smith of University of Utah Psychology Department found that women in "strained marriages are more likely to feel depressed and suffer high blood pressure, obesity and other signs of "metabolic syndrome" which are risk factors for heart disease, stroke and diabetes".
The authors of the study do not go so far as to say that happy relationships are good for your health, but it is wise to consider that there are more impacts on your life than just the changes that you might be contemplating.
Divorce is not easy for anyone - either partner, children, friends, relatives or colleagues. It is obviously harder on the key people involved but it reaches far and wide.
It is important to consider ways to decrease the stress you might experience, and to try to maintain healthy lifestyles in any way you can. Get enough rest (and sleep), try to eat healthy foods, get some regular exercise and watch out for chemical substances such as alcohol or other drugs.
