Healthy Love, Healthy Life - Part 2

We all know that a healthy relationship contributes to your quality of life, big time! Donna and I, however, came across some statistics that show just how big an impact the quality of your intimate relationship has on your physical and mental well-being. It's pretty surprising.

* In a multi-year study, Statistics Canada found that men who got divorced or separated were 3.3 times more likely to experience depression than men who remained with their spouse. Among women, the odds of depression after a break-up were about 2.4 times higher. For many in the study, depression remained a problem for as long as 4 years after they divorced. (Statistics Canada, The Daily, May 22, 2007)

* According to University College in London, England (2007) stress associated with marital struggle was found to increase the likelihood of a heart attack or other heart trouble in both male and female subjects by as much as 34 per cent over the 12-year life of the study.

* The American Diabetes Association has suggested stress due to poor relationships aggravates diabetes for those afflicted with the condition.

* Researchers at Ohio State University found that when couples re-lived past arguments self-inflicted blister wounds healed at only 60% the rate of wounds inflicted on couples who exhibited lower-hostility behaviour.

But that's not all. Studies compiled by Life Innovations in 2006 on behalf of the Marriage CoMission found that:

* Immune system functioning is lower in couples surviving poor relationships compared to couples enjoying satisfying relationships. (Waite & Gallagher, 2000)

* The likelihood of domestic violence grows as relationships fail. (Gallagher, 2002) Domestic violence costs corporate America up to 7.9 million paid workdays of lost productivity annually. (Corporate Alliance to End Partner Violence, 2006)

* Unhappily married couples were almost four times more likely to have a partner abusing alcohol than in happily married couples. (Whisman, Uebelacker, & Bruce, 2006) Those with alcohol problems skip or miss work 30% more than those without such problems. (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2004)

We have known of these studies for some time. In fact, it's one reason why we do what we do. The "Divine Dance of the Sexes" gives people the tools for making sure their relationship contributes to their life rather than acts as a drain on it.

We invite you to download our free ebook, "A Couple's Map to Everyday Happiness" at:

www.gendercoaches.com

Now Go Appreciate a Man and Cherish a Woman. That's All It Takes.