I’ve always felt very strongly that stress is a MAJORLY important health factor that you have to control.

In a 2005 study with 42 married couples this fact was shown again. The individuals were all given small blister-type wounds and the healing of these wounds was monitored over various sessions. During the first session, couples had a structured social support interaction and during the second session, they discussed a marital disagreement.

Local and systemic pro-inflammatory cytokine production (the chemicals that your body produces to heal infections), was measured throughout the study.

Couples’ blister wounds healed more slowly (a 40% reduced wound healing time) and local cytokine production was lower at wound sites following marital conflicts as opposed to after social support interactions.

It remains a good idea for your health to work hard at protecting your relationship with your spouse and with the people who form part of your emotional support structure!

Dr Anton