3 Ways Your Relationship Could Be Affecting Your Health
Ok, so amidst all of this lovey-dovey, mushy romance talk that generally happens in the weeks leading up to Valentine's Day, it's time to get real. Relationships are tough. They aren't anything like the fairy tales tell us; there generally isn't any ballroom romance, perfect prince, or horses to sweep you off into the sunset. Hey, we all need a reality check from time-to-time. The fact of the matter is that as wonderful as it is to find someone with whom you enjoy being with, relationships can still take a toll on you and your health, if you aren't particularly proactive. Below, you'll find a few ways that relationships can affect your wellbeing, as well as how to avoid or mitigate these obstacles:
#1: You may not be sleeping as well.
It's true- sharing a bed with another person can, at times, deprive you of your good night's rest. Perhaps your partner tosses and turns at night, keeping you awake. Maybe they snore. Or, if you are insecure in your relationship for whatever reason, it can increase your stress levels, thus keeping you up at night. While the aforementioned insecurity generally has to be resolved through open communication, sleeping next to a blanket hog must be dealt with differently. If you are living with this person, consider investing in a bigger bed together, thus allowing some more space and room for both of you to be comfortable.
#2: You may be packing on the pounds.
It's a common belief that once you are comfortable within a relationship, your concern over your physical appearance tends to diminish. While this may be true, the opposite also holds some weight. According to psychologist Maryann Troiani, PhD, co-author of Spontaneous Optimism, "dissatisfaction in the relationship can lead to passive-aggressive eating behaviors and sleep problems, which will lead to weight gain". If you feel as though you are in a healthy and loving relationship, it may be time to start supporting each other through a lifestyle change. Come up with fun ways to exercise together, and plan romantic (but healthy) weekly dinners that you can prepare jointly.
#3: You may be feeling stressed.
No relationship is free from its share of stressful situations- money woes and disagreements, parenting disputes, and even chores can all be catalysts to feelings of anxiety. It doesn't mean that your relationship is doomed, either. It only means that, in the short term, you and your partner need to be proactive about communicating openly with one another in order to solve the problem(s) so that, in the long term, you can alleviate some of the stress from your relationship.