Studies in the past have shown that marriage may improve your health, and now a recent study shows that divorce may actually harm your health. Researchers examined the health records of more than 9000 adults between the ages of 51 and 61 and discovered that those who have gone through divorces or been widowed have 20% more chronic health problems than those who have not. The damage to health never seems to improve, even after remarriage.
Experts believe the reason for these health differences come down to depression, anxiety and other psychological issues that can greatly affect your health.
Researchers do point out that trying to avoid a divorce solely for health reasons may be a bad move though. Realistically, if you are greatly unhappy in your marriage, prolonging a divorce may still cause you great depression and anxiety. In these cases, you will still likely suffer the negative health effects.
“I would argue that if you can’t fix a marriage you’re better off out of it,” said Janice Kiecolt-Glaser, an Ohio State scientist who is an author of much of the research. “With a divorce you’re disrupting your life, but a long-term acrimonious marriage also is very bad.”
San Francisco divorce attorneys often recommend anyone considering a divorce go through mediation, the least aggressive form of divorce, and always speak with a doctor and psychologist as well. It is also recommended to continue eating right, exercising and to learn how to exercise proper stress management techniques while going through the divorce process.
To learn more about this ground breaking study, read the article in the Herald Tribune. Image Via merfam [Flickr]