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Fatal Attraction: When Your Spouse Makes You Sick

Added to Articles on Thu 04/22/2010

Your Spouse's Not-So-Secret Bad Habits

Even small nuisances can turn into big health problems. Here are some things you do (or don't do) every day that can take years off your partner's life.

 

Snoring

Years it can snatch from your spouse: 4

Why Partners of snorers lose one hour per night of sleep on average. Sleeping poorly increases inflammation, impairs the immune system, and is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke.

What you can do

  • Sleep on your side
  • Don't drink alcohol or take sedatives before bed
  • Lose weight
  • If it's a chronic problem, see a doctor to make sure you don't have a condition such as sleep apnea that requires treatment.

Nagging

Years it can snatch from your spouse: 8

Why The incessant criticism and task piling that come in the form of nagging can raise stress levels throughout the body. That stress, in turn, can cause a build up of chronic inflammation, which can damage both mental and cardiovascular health. Plus, we all know from experience that nagging usually backfires, making your spouse withdraw rather than join you in getting things done.

What you can do

  • Choose appropriate times to make requests of your partner (not during his or her favorite TV show or during the playoffs).
  • Ask in a calm, kind voice.
  • Try making a list of what you need help accomplishing so your spouse can consult it and refer back to it without having to be reminded by you.
  • Set deadlines for tasks and let your spouse accomplish them on his or her own schedule.

Skimping on Sex

Years it can snatch from your spouse's life: 4

Why Sex is good exercise for your brain and your body. The more sex you have (provided, it's safe sex and with a monogamous partner), the healthier you will be. Men who have sex once a month are at more than 2 times the risk of heart disease and heart attack as men who have sex twice a week.

What you can do

  • Set aside 10 minutes every day to talk and reconnect with your spouse (we promise this will pay off in the bedroom).
  • Kiss and cuddle for 10 minutes at least three times a week.
  • Commit to having sex twice a week (make two dates for it if you have to).
  • Get more ideas from Dr. Oz's National Sex Experiment

Remember, the sooner you can commit to a healthier life, the sooner you can get back to the "happily ever after" part you signed up for in the first place.