Stress and Relationships

Did you know that poor social relationships are associated with a 29% increased risk of heart disease and a 32% increased risk of stroke compared to those with strong social connections? Aging adults with lower social engagement are 59% more likely to experience cognitive decline and impairment? So it is THAT important to have a strong social network YES!!!

Connection to a sense of purpose, community, and belonging has profound impact on a patient's health and mental well-being. Building and maintaining meaningful social relationships can reduce stress and has been shown to accompany the adoption of healthier lifestyle behaviors. While this area of health may often be overlooked, relationships are just as critical as exercise, nutrition, or sleep. Some research even touts the effect of strong relationships on improving longevity and life expectancy. Maintaining social relationships and support may help patients start and sustain positive improvements in their health and is an important consideration for lifestyle change.

Stress affects all systems of the body, from endocrine and nervous system pathways to cardiovascular and gastrointestinal functioning. The cumulative burden of chronic stress and negative life events has been associated with poorer health outcomes, including an increased risk of inflammatory disease development and a suppressed immune system. Sustained psychological stress may also influence sleep quality and pain experiences and increase depressive symptoms and fatigue. Further, experiencing chronic stress may decrease mitochondrial energy production capacity and even alter mitochondrial morphology.(retrieved from https://www.ifm.org/news-insights/chronic-stressors-disease-burden-and-sustainable-lifestyle-interventions/).

This week, I discussed how relationships can impact our health. As humans, the human connection is part of survival. It is vital that we feel loved and respected. However, when we are involved in unhealthy relationships, it can have a significant impact on our health. As a functional medicine provider, I help my patients evaluate their environment and their relationships. When a person or a group of people cause you stress, it is time to re-evaluate those relationships to see if they are truly worth it. Ask yourself if those relationships are repairable or can you have a healthy conversation with them? or is the relationship beyond repair. If a relationship is causing a significant amount of stress, perhaps it is time to let it go. The added stress from an unhealthy relationship can cause unwanted harm to your physical health.