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Natural Awakenings Richmond

Resolve Arguments the Same Day for a Happier, Healthier Life

Happy couple sitting on bed smiling and drinking coffee after resolving conflict

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Either sidestepping an argument or resolving it on the same day pays off quickly by halving the reactivity level—negative “aftertaste”—that day and often erasing any darkened emotional response the following day, say University of Oregon researchers. Based on surveys of more than 2,000 people reporting their emotional ups and downs during an eight-day period, the researchers found that when people feel they have resolved an argument, the emotional response associated with that disagreement is significantly reduced or even eliminated. Stress reactivity has been found to significantly reduce lifespan, studies show, and is linked to heart disease, a weakened immune system, reproductive issues and gastrointestinal conditions.