Forging a happy, healthy, and long-lasting relationship takes work. It’s so easy to fall into traps like taking each other for granted or speaking to each other in . . . well . . . less than loving tones.

And of course, there are other reasons why relationships can fall apart and lead to divorce, like these, for example:

1. Growing Apart: When couples grow apart, they may drift away from each other and decide to go their separate ways.

2. Infidelity: When a spouse is unfaithful, it can create a deep rift in a marriage that is difficult to repair.

3. Financial Problems: Financial issues can cause serious stress in a marriage and lead to divorce.

4. Communication Problems: When couples don’t communicate effectively, it can lead to misunderstandings and unresolved issues that can cause a divorce.

5. Lack of Intimacy: When couples don’t have a strong physical connection, it can lead to a lack of emotional connection as well.

6. Loss of Respect: When a spouse no longer respects their partner, it can create an insurmountable divide between them.

7. Competing Priorities: As people get older, their interests and priorities may change, leading to a disconnect in the marriage.

8. Abuse: Physical or emotional abuse can lead to a breakdown in the marriage and eventually to divorce.

9. Career Trajectories: When one partner has a successful career and the other does not, the imbalance can lead to tension in the marriage.

10. Unmet Needs: If one partner’s needs are not being met in the marriage, it can cause serious issues and lead to divorce.

Listen to the latest GRUFFtalk episode, which focuses on how poor communication between partners can have a negative impact on your health and happiness.

CLICK HERE.

But the one I focused on this week with my guest, Dr. Rosie Shrout from Purdue University, is this: how you talk to your partner (and how your partner talks to you) can have a direct impact on your physical health.

When partners are unable to effectively communicate with each other, it can lead to feelings of frustration, anger, and resentment. These negative emotions can contribute to the development of stress, which has been linked to a range of health problems, including cardiovascular disease, headaches, digestive problems, and sleep disturbances. And when couples withdraw from having tough conversations about tough topics, both — but especially women — can experience declines in physical wellbeing.

Poor communication can also lead to conflicts that are not resolved, leading to increased stress levels, which can lead to depression and anxiety. In addition, when partners are not able to effectively communicate with each other, it can lead to a lack of intimacy and emotional connection, which can have a negative impact on overall well-being.

In order to maintain a healthy relationship, it is important for partners to work on their communication skills, to learn how to listen to each other, to express their feelings in a healthy way, and to work together to find solutions to any problems that may arise. By working on their communication skills, partners can improve their relationship and maintain their physical and mental health.

The good news is that these are fixable. It’s never too late to take stock in how you and your partner communicate and work together to change the discourse.

Dr. Shrout offers recommendations in this episode and I strongly urge you to take a little time and tune in.  CLICK HERE TO LISTEN NOW.