Okay, they aren't. But maybe they should, given the results from a new study that suggests a 30 minute fight with your husband/wife/partner can slow physical healing by a day or more. Sounds dumb, but it's all about the molecules produced by our different stress reactions, which can seriously damage our bodies, especially if elevated ALL THE TIME.
In this study a husband and wife team, based out of the University of Ohio, checked the healing time of tiny, controlled wounds in 42 couples. Couples who fought during the taped "discussions" just previous to the woundings healed around 40% slower than those who had a supportive conversation. Openly hostile couples fared even worse. Blood levels of the inflammatory stress molecules cytokines, were also lots higher in the warring pairs.
Moral of the story: don't invite your mother-in-law to the post-op party and if your husband/wife isn't prepared to be supportive when you've just spent a couple of days in the hospital, then not only are they a twat, they are bad for your health.
(via DW)
"In this study a husband and wife team, based out of the University of Ohio, checked the healing time of tiny, controlled wounds in 42 couples."
At least they've stopped taking it out on each other.
Posted by: MT | December 06, 2005 at 08:26 AM