Scientists at the University of Auckland have found that good relationships with loved ones have a positive effect on one’s physical health. The results of the research have been published magazine Social Psychology and Personality Science.
“The way you treat your loved ones can affect how your body works. The researchers said that both positive and negative relationship experiences affect our bodies, our stress levels, blood pressure and heart rate.
For three weeks, 4,000 participants provided daily data on their stress levels, blood pressure, and heart rate. Every three days, participants also talked about their relationships with loved ones, detailing their positive or negative experiences.
Researchers found that people with more positive experiences reported better physical health. In contrast, volatility (daily ups and downs) and conflicts were associated with high levels of stress and tension. This, in turn, had a negative effect on the person’s physical condition.
In the future, the team will conduct further research to better understand how relationships can affect health.