Studies on a lesser scale have looked at the relationship between relationship conflict or satisfaction and blood pressure and stress levels. The latest study investigates how relationships affect our bodies, both positively and negatively, and how these relationships affect our health over time.
According to main author Brian Don of the University of Auckland, “Both positive and negative events in our relationships contribute to our everyday stress, coping, and physiology, like blood pressure and heart rate reactivity.” Likewise, the ups and downs in our relationships are just as significant as how we feel about them overall.
4,005 individuals did daily smartphone or smartwatch check-ins over the course of three weeks, providing evaluations of their blood pressure, heart rate, stress, and sleep.
In general, persons with more positive experiences reported reduced stress, greater coping skills, and lower systolic blood pressure reactivity, which improved physiological performance in daily life, according to research. Contrarily, the variability—or daily peaks and valleys—of negative relationship events, such as conflict, was particularly indicative of outcomes including stress, coping, and total systolic blood pressure.
According to Dr. Don, one general conclusion from this study is that it’s crucial to take into account how external stressors, like the COVID-19 pandemic, might alter people’s relationships and, consequently, their physical health.
