Oprah.com: Spouse’s Bad Mood is Contagious

According to an expert on Oprah.com, one spouse/partner can spread their bad mood to the other.  I don’t think you need a degree to figure out the logic behind it but it’s becoming increasingly clear that couples share emotional states but did you know that it can be related to your physical health as well?  Cardiac patients with neurotic or anxious spouses/partners are more likely to suffer from depression 18 months after having heart surgery.  The scary part about that is that depression is a known risk factor for heart patients by increasing their chances of further heart attacks and death.  As if that isn’t bad enough, research has shown that, when couples express hostility during fights, they experience a hardening of the coronary arteries!

I know that’s pretty grim but there are things we can do to prevent things from progressing to the point that it poses a risk to our health (and our relationships!).  Here are some tips:

• Disengage – if your spouse/partner is being hostile and nasty, resist the urge to respond negatively.  Instead, try walking away or finding some other way to cope.  You can also discuss shared activities like exercising together or visiting a therapist.
• See the Light – some people are affected by seasonal affective disorder so, if fights seem to be worse in the winter when it’s less sunny, consider changing the lighting in your home to include full-spectrum lighting.
• Play as a Team – Don’t put all the blame on one person.  Share the load and, if therapy is a consideration, see a couples therapist rather than suggesting that only one of you needs the help.
• Keep Your Spirits Up – If one spouse/partner can spread their mood to the other, why not try making your own optimism and good mood contagious?

image: James Jordan via Flickr