Trouble in Paradise: Relationship Stress
While most relationships, whether sexual or non-sexual, have their share of conflicts, relationship stress is far from healthy. Normal fights in the context of a relationship are healthy; they relieve tension, let both individuals get their opinions out and prevent anger from being suppressed. However, when fighting becomes too much, or when conflict is too volatile, relationship stress can develop, a situation that is dangerous for everyone involved. No stress is healthy, and in the end, preventing it from occurring is important, even if it means leaving a relationship behind.
The Dangers of Relationship Stress
Relationship stress, like most other forms of stress, primarily lowers the immune system of the suffering individual. Ongoing conflict can quickly lead to numerous other illnesses, from the cold and the flu to severe mental debilitation. However, most relationships and families do experience conflicts; sometimes the acknowledgement of a global camaraderie can prevent everyday fights from turning into stress. However, when those conflicts become to great, or when the fights become violent, there is nothing beneficial about the situation.
Above all, relationship stress, outside of a lowered immune system, can lead to other physical ailments. In a sense, the part of the brain that processes emotional pain is in the same area as the part that processes physical pain; the idea of a broken heart is somewhat true, it would appear. A relationship plagued by relationship stress will involve an awful lot of broken hearts, both metaphorically and literally.
As stated before, sometimes the worst kind of relationship stress is the unexpressed kind. Relationships void of fights are often not healthy relationships at all; when individuals suppress anger and never express their disagreements, the internalized problems quickly develop into stress. Fights foster understanding and can bring people together, at least in moderation. Couples who never fight tend to die younger and live unhealthy lives, while their counterparts who are open to disagreements live longer, happier and free of relationship stress. Above all, however, conflict must be expressed in the right way. While suppressed anger can lead to stress, anger expressed in a vindictive, condescending manner can lead to worse relationship stress. Whether a couple or family simply needs to sit down and talk or needs to employ the help of a therapist, conflict and fights should always be resolved as peacefully as possible, in a respectful manner that does not belittle anyone. Otherwise, the anger might as well be suppressed, as it is not going to help the situation in any way.
