This Health Fix Could Save Your Marriage
Dear Living Well Daily Reader,
Do you find yourself arguing with your spouse more than you should?
Do you find easy conversations turning into shouting matches?
Do you carry a chip on your shoulder?
Are you quick to anger?
Want all those problems to disappear?
Believe it or not, I can show you how… and all it takes is one simple change to your daily routine.
A new study from Ohio State University looked at 43 couples to determine how marital interactions influence a person’s health.
And what they found was surprising.
Instead of discovering how marriage/relationships affected health, the found the opposite: health affected relationships.
That is: how healthy you were determined how healthy your relationship was.
Specifically, the scientists discovered that sleep (and the quality of sleep) was the biggest determinant of whether couples fought or not. The most hostile couples in the study where those who weren’t getting enough sleep.
Maybe this makes sense to you? I find that I argue with my wife (even over silly things) more when I don’t sleep well.
Lack of sleep (the scientists suggest) is like putting on dark glasses: we see the world in a darker way, our mood is worse, we are grumpier.
When we don’t sleep well, we lose humor, understanding, and compassion.
But here is where it gets really bad: marital discord combined with sleep deprivation can become toxic to a person’s health. Literally.
The people in the study who didn’t sleep well and were fighting had increased inflammation in their body. Inflammation, you probably know, is bad for you and has been linked to heart disease, cancer, obesity, diabetes, and many other health problems.
The study showed that even one well-rested member of the family could make up for the other by being more understanding and avoiding arguments.
The formula is simple: better sleep makes a better marriage.
So, let’s get you there: better sleep, less fighting, and decreased inflammation.
Dr. Scott’s Better-Sleep, Better-Marriage Program:
- Exercise is one of the best paths to a good night’s sleep. When your body is physically tired, your mind has no choice but to give in. Find an exercise you love and increase how much you are exercising when you feel stressed.
- Avoid caffeine in the afternoon: this means coffee, tea, chocolate, and energy drinks.
- Sleeping alone is another option for people who are woken up by their mate. The National Sleep Foundation found that nearly 25 percent of couples sleep in separate beds.
- Calming herbs such as hops, passionflower, lemon balm, chamomile, and valerian all help relax the body and mind.
- Theanine is an amino acid found in green tea that helps people feel calm.
- Melatonin is a hormone that promotes good sleep.
Who would have ever thought that poor sleep would have such a big impact on our health and our relationships?
The good news is that natural medicine can help you get a good night’s sleep whenever you need it.
Health and Happiness,
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Ed. Note: Please send your feedback: feedback@livingwelldaily.com – and click here to like us on Facebook.
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
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