(Article) Positive experiences in close relationships are associated with better physical health, new research suggests

The new research examines the effects of positive and negative relationship experiences on the body, as well as how these experiences and health outcomes change from day to day.

Over the course of three weeks, 4,005 participants completed daily check-ins via their smartphone or smartwatch, providing assessments of their blood pressure, heart rate, stress, coping. Every three days, participants also shared reflections on their closest relationship, detailing their positive and negative experiences.

Researchers found that, on average, people with more positive experiences and fewer negative experiences reported lower stress, better coping, and lower systolic blood pressure reactivity leading to better physiological functioning in daily life. By contrast, variability -- or daily ups and downs -- in negative relationship experiences like conflict were especially predictive of outcomes like stress, coping, and overall systolic blood pressure.

Read the complete article available at ScienceDaily!

Reflection:

What are the positive experiences you've had with your partner/friends/family this week?

#Relationships #Positivity #PhysicalHealth #Research

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