Flying pots and pans
Not too sure about you people out there but that phrase always brings to mind a married couple ‘happily’ arguing to me. So what’s the big deal over it? Not much, except that it’s unhealthy. It’s almost common knowledge that chronic stress impairs your immune system. But until now, nobody has any concrete idea how stressful arguments can be on the immune systems for those involved.
According to a new study highlighted by NewScientist, the answer is quite surprising. To quote from the website, ‘The stress a married couple experiences during a 30-minute argument can delay their bodies’ ability to heal a wound by at least a day’! It seems that couples with hostile relationships have exaggerated levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) cytokine after having a heated argument. IL-6 helps to balance the immune response in the body, where increased levels stimulate healing. But when the levels get too high, the result is less than desirable. Consequently, ‘wounds on the hostile couples healed at only 60% of the rate of couples considered to have low hostility’. The result is more pronounced given that ‘young’ couples are involved in the study (wonder if anyone wants to try it out on old couples?).
According to the researchers involved, they commented that the arguments seen in couples under laboratory conditions would be much less extreme than those occurring within the private confines of their homes, so the healing process may be slowed much more. Well, I suppose it can be pretty stressful when the pots and pans do start flying. I’ve read somewhere that arguments are essential to a healthy relationship, but again, it looks like moderation must be exercised at all times. ;P Wonder if it would come to prescribing 30-minute arguments per month? So choose your partners well! =)
