WASHINGTON – Increased levels of stress in your relationship can have disastrous consequences. Different causes of stress such as finances, children and work pressures can contribute to increased stress in your relationship.
Moodiness, chronic worrying, weight gain, sleeping problems, and constant complaining are just a few symptoms of frequent stress. When your partner is constantly stressed, you both are at an increased risk for all diseases including heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, insomnia, obesity, depression and Alzheimer’s disease,
A recent study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that people were more successful in losing weight, smoking cessation, exercising and being active when their partner was involved. The study showed people were more successful in changing their bad habits for good ones when their partner also made a change.
Helping your partner with their stress can influence your health as well. Researchers from the University of British Columbia and Pennsylvania State University studied more than 1,700 couples and found strong connections between a couple’s physical and emotional health. Couples that have been together for a long time become interdependent and when one person experiences health problems they both develop them.
Tips to share your stress:
- Be on the Look Out. Become aware of stress symptoms in your partner. Observe your partner’s stress levels. Begin to notice your partners stress triggers. His/her stress triggers may be focused around issues like money, career, weight, health or personal issues.
- Listen. Actively listen to your partner. Be fully present, maintain eye contact, and focus on your partner’ words, emotions and body language. They may be frustrated, angry, sad or fearful. You are giving your partner the gift of respect and compassion when you actively listen.
- Create a Plan. Helping your partner create a plan reduces stress, creates confidence and instills a sense of hope. Come up with plans together, share responsibilities and duties, or try changing your routine to help reduce stress.
- Create Stress-Reducing Rituals for Two.To further help your stressed partner, come up with rituals that you and your partner can do together to reduce stress. Take an evening stroll around the neighborhood, join a yoga class or have a morning chat to prepare for a stressful day. Working together to reduce stress can help further grow your relationship.
