8 health dangers of bad relationships that go far beyond what you might expect.

There’s no two ways about it: relationships are hard work! You have to commit to each other through thick and thin, set aside your desires to make your partner happy, make sacrifices, and the list goes on. No real relationship will ever be easy. But did you know that a bad relationship can take its toll on your body? And we’re not just talking your happiness–we’re talking your overall health! Here are some of the health dangers of bad relationships:

• Heart problems — In one study, patients were monitored over the course of 12 years. During that time, of the 10,000 people studied, those who were in negative relationships had a much higher chance of developing heart problems. Not only did they have a higher risk of heart problems, but the problems had a higher mortality rate. Some even suffered fatal cardiac events as a result!
• Reduced recovery –– Did you know that bad relationships can stop you from recovering from disease and injuries? Breast cancer survivors suffering in bad relationships had a harder time recovering, the result of high stress levels.
• Poorer health choices –– People in bad relationships often make poor choices when it comes to their health. Not only do they have a harder time sticking to their diet and exercise programs, but they often neglect to take medications for existing health conditions. Talk about a serious drawback!
• Excessive stress –– It’s a well-established fact that stress is a major contributor to a wide range of psychological and physiological disorders. Bad relationships can be a primary cause of stress, and that stress can affect performance in the workplace as well as at home. People in bad relationships tend to suffer reduced focus and concentration, have higher blood pressure, and start the day with higher levels of the stress hormone cortisol. Over time, this can lead to serious problems like depression, obesity, and even cardiac disease!
• Reduced mental function –– That’s right: being in a bad relationship can be bad for your brain. Healthy, committed relationships have been proven effective at boosting mental function, so it stands to reason that bad relationships have the opposite effect. People who go through multiple breakups or suffer through bad relationships tend to have poorer mental health than singles or people in happy, committed relationships.
• Poor life choices –– When you’re in an unhappy relationship, you often have to find other ways to “feel good”. This can lead to unhealthy choices, including smoking, drinking, and taking drugs in excess. The number of people who end up suffering from substance abuse as a result of their bad relationships is too damned high!
• Obesity –– It may be hard to hear, but it’s true. The stress of a bad relationship increases the production of the stress hormone cortisol, which messes with your internal hormonal balance. As a result, your body stores excess fat, and you begin to gain weight. Add to that poor diet, exercise, and life choices, and you have a recipe for obesity.
• Weak immune system –– Stress triggers the “fight or flight” response in our bodies, which produces adrenaline and cortisol in order to enhance our reaction to the stressor. But when you live with the chronic stress of a bad relationship, your body never fully gets out of the “fight or flight” response. Your immune system stays suppressed, leaving you exposed to a wide range of illnesses and health problems.