Episode Details

Last week, I shared how a health challenge can inadvertently make you think your marriage is terrible. But what if it IS terrible? 

Today I'll address the negative effects a bad relationship can have on your health. This may be why your health is bad...it's your body's response to the relationship. We'll look at how to assess if the relationship is bad or if your perception and emotions are skewing your vision of the relationship. Also available on YouTube here.

Take Aways

•  Physical effects of being in a bad relationship: increased stress and strain, increased cardiovascular reactivity, increased immune response, increased inflammation, and increased cortisol, higher risk of heart disease, higher risk of obesity and weight issues, and higher risk for high blood pressure. https://www.megawecare.com/wellness-we-care/chronic-diseases/the-hidden-impact-how-bad-relationships-affect-your-health
• Psychological effects of being a bad relationship: anxiety, depression, mood swings, social isolation
• Are you in a great relationship going through a hard time? Or is the relationship bad?
• A "good" relationship: You feel loved, appreciated, and/or respected most of the time.
• A "bad" relationship: You feel unwanted, disliked, and/or rejected most of the time.
• If there is any form of physical, emotional, verbal, sexual abuse = you're in a bad relationship
• Your perceptions affect your beliefs about your marriage. 
• Remember to factor in YOU. Do you have underlying issues that affect your perception? Factor those in.
• Due to pmdd, I sometimes have false perceptions which lead to false beliefs about my marriage. My marriage is GREAT though. My perception is sometimes off.
• Are you looking through newlywed glasses? Victim glasses? 
• Look at your spouse's actions. Then put their actions in a different setting. Are they okay there? This can help to separate possible emotional biases you may have and help look at the actions more logically.
• If you've assigned your emotional well being to your spouse, ending the relationship won't necessarily help. 
• There are many ways to move forward if you have a bad relationship. You may want to start by talking about what is bothering you with your spouse.
• Communication may be the solution.
• You don't need to suffer in silence. Take care of your mind and body. 
• Being in a marriage built on love and respect is one of the most wonderful ongoing experiences a person can have. 
• National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-7233 or text BEGIN to 88788

Want more support? ❤️Click here to talk with me. I'm currently offering a free 20 minute consultation call to help you get clear on where you are and how to get to a better place. 

Free resources:

• Heidi's website
• Heidi's Instagram

Music 

• Music- Island Breeze by Surf House Productions | https://surf-house-productions.bandcamp.com 
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