In life, we all are affected by one thing or the other. Some choose to ignore them while some choose to work on them. But as much as you try to ignore it, you can’t separate your wellness from your emotions. Every feeling we have affects some part of our body, and they can wreck havoc on our physical health.
I
wish I had known what I’m about to share earlier as a biomedical student, it
would have been of help to one of my cousins who lost all due to the fact that
she isn’t aware of how her relationship could affect her health.
Healthy
relationship brings happiness, peace, and joy. And Studies shows that those who
have happy relationships live longer than those who are into unhealthy
relationships.
Every
outstanding performance of an individual is the product of the individual
understanding and most people don’t really care to know how their relationship
affects their health.
During
one of my visit to Yaba psychiatric Hospital in Lagos, Nigeria, I was told by
the attending doctor to act abnormal so as to get the patients’ attention… to
be candid, it was funny and during our conversation he said most of the people
in the ward I went to had psychic problem because of their inability to handle
stress, shock, heartbreak which lead to their emotional trauma. All our
feelings, positive or negative create physiological changes such as heart rate,
respiratory rate, digestion and muscle energy level…
Depression,
anxiety and stress affects our health irrespective of either we are into
healthy or unhealthy relationship, but the effect is more tense to our health
in unhealthy relationship.
Depression,
anxiety and stress can’t be avoided in a relationship where:
· > Responsibility that should be shouldered by two parties is
been done by one, and failure to meet up with those expectations and demands
leads to depression and stress which affect our health.
· >
you present yourself
to be what you are not in your relationship and fail to meet up with
those standards .
· > you are in
relationship with someone way out of your league and you are trying to catch
up.
· > There is financial instability, diminished excitement and
relationship strife.
There
are many more but let’s discuss how depression, anxiety and stress affect our
health…
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CARDIOVASCULAR:
Depression,
anxiety and acute stress cause an increase in the release of stress hormone
such as cortisol, noradrenaline, adrenaline. During this period, the heart rate
increases and blood vessel dilates, therefore increasing the blood pressure
which can damage the heart muscle. The consistent and ongoing increase in the heart rate and elevated levels
of stress hormones can take a wreck on the body. Ultimately, it can lead to
hypertension, heart palpitations, heart attack, stroke and if worsened , death.
BRAIN:
Depression
changes the brain and this affects a major part of the body system. e.g Abnormal functioning of the brain messengers
such as serotonin can alter your pain threshold, which makes you become more
sensitive to pain, especially back pain…
When
changes in the brain occurs, some common physical changes occur such as;
increased aches and pains, chronic fatigue, decreased interest in sex,
decreased appetite, insomnia i.e lack of sleep, or oversleeping.
AGEING
Chronic
stress is a major contributor to premature ageing. Stress shortens telomeres -structures
of the end of chromosomes. So that new cell can`t grow as quickly. This leads
to the inevitable signs of ageing such as wrinkles, weakness, poor eyesight...
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
Under
stress, your liver produces extra blood sugar (glucose) to give you a boost of
energy. Unused blood sugar is reabsorbed by the body. If you are under chronic
stress your body may not be able to keep up with this extra glucose surge, and
you may be at an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The rush of
hormones, rapid breathing and elevated heart rate can upset your digestion
system, Sometime you are more likely to have heartburn or acid reflux.
SEXUALITY & REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM.
Stress
is exhausting for the body & for the mind. It`s not unusual to loose your
desire for sex when you are under chronic stress.
In
men, stress however may cause an increase in the male hormone testosterone
release which may increase sexual arousal in the short time.
For
woman, stress can attract the menstrual cycle (Read: Things you don`t know about menstruation) You might have irregular or no menstruation or heavier or
more painful periods.
If
stress continues for a long time, a man`s testosterone levels begin to drop.
That can interfere with sperm production & cause erectile dysfunction or
impotence.
HOW TO HANDLE STRESS IN YOUR RELATIONSHIP
HOW TO HANDLE STRESS IN YOUR RELATIONSHIP
Having known that stress has an insidious way of
undermining every aspect of our health and happiness, it is to our own
advantage to deduce a means to relief ourselves of stress in other to
revitalise and improve our health.
ways couples can help each other de-stress and
improve their health:
1)
Encourage each other : You feel encouraged when
your partner expresses confidence in you during those challenging times when
you may be experiencing feelings of self doubt. Nothing lifts us up and
restores our confidence like the encouragement of our special one. Mutual encouragement is one of the most powerful
antidotes your relationship needs, and
daily application of this will ease you of every stress and improve your
health.
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So often we get stressed because we are overwhelmed with too
much to do, and we think our partners should be able to read our minds or know
what we need. And when that happens, we find ourselves complaining either to
ourselves, friends or mates. Ultimately, complaining is a form of worsening your situation. Don’t assume
your partner knows what is wrong about you, communicate it to him/her.
3)
Laugh together:
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Laughter can:
(a) Stimulate many organs.
Laughter enhances your intake of oxygen- rich air, stimulates your heart
rate, lungs, and muscles, and also increases the release of endorphins which
helps to reduce stress.
(b) Soothe tension. Laughter can
also stimulate circulation and aid muscle relaxation, both of which help reduce
some of the physical symptoms of stress.
(c) Relieve pain. Laughter may
ease pain by causing the body to produce its own natural painkillers. It also
help to break the pain-spasm cycle which is common to some muscle disorders.
(d) Improve your mood.
Many people experience depression sometimes due to chronic illnesses.
Laughter can help lessen your depression and anxiety and make you feel happier.
4)
Consider what you can
control and work on them.
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These are four simple
ways couples can relieve themselves of stress and improve their health. We all deserve the best, we can’t shy away from challenges,
but we can control how they affects us… stress is what we deal with in our day
to day activities, and how to handle those stress is to discover the source and
both parties should try all they could to help each other overcome them...
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