HE’S A PAIN IN MY BACK!

While we recognize the benefits conflicts can have in bringing about change, prolonged interpersonal conflicts can actually negatively affect one’s health.

A number of studies have shown during disagreements a rise in heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, as well as cardiac output. Additionally, epinephrine, norepinephrine, adrenocorticotropic, and growth hormones increase dramatically. There can also be significant changes in the numbers of several specific types of immune cells. One interesting study even demonstrated that during conflicts our bodies have a difficult time controlling latent viruses.

In addition to these physiological changes, studies have shown that wounds heal significantly slower during conflicts and asthmatic individuals experience decreased pulmonary functioning.

Conflict can also magnify various pain levels. Individuals with chronic back pain reported feeling debilitating discomfort during conflict. So, yes, an ongoing clashes can give you a pain in the back.

This isn’t a reason to avoid disagreements. Instead, it should be motivation to deal with the dispute productively with mediation.

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Fred Jandt is the author of “How to Survive a Mediation,” available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and wherever books are sold.