Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Putting your heart at risk

Two new studies have reported that the number of heart attacks is rising among middle-aged women and falling among men. The mortality rate for women is higher after a heart attack than for men at this time. Health professionals are emphasizing the importance of maintaining preventive interventions for cardiovascular risks by eating healthy, regular physical activity and not smoking. Another positive factor for a healthy heart is maintaining good social relationships.

Conflictual relationships can moderately increase the risk of coronary stress. Men and women who experienced conflict in their closest personal relationships were 34% more likely to have a heart attack or agina. "The possibility that negative close relationships are more powerful predictions of health than other aspects of social support is consistent with previous research findings indicating that individuals tend to mentally replay negative encounters more than they replay positive ones," the researchers wrote. Researchers noted that depression, low self-esteem, and anger have been found to influence coronary disease through the cumulative 'wear and tear' on organs and tissues caused by alterations of autonomic functions.

All couples have conflict but if your relationship is constantly under stress and strain the risk of heart attack increases 34%. A study a published in the Archives of Internal Medicine reports from a 12-year study of more than 9,000 men and women, that people who reported chronic conflict in their closet relationship had the highest risk of heart disease. This is due to the intense flood of hormones that is triggered when individuals become angry or stressed. The hormones cause the heart to beat faster, increase blood pressure and wears on the cardiac blood vessels. Unhappy marriages were also found to increase self-destructive behaviors of poor diet and increased smoking or drinking.

To avoid a heart attack see your family physician to discuss any lifestyle changes that you may need help with to reduce blood pressure, cholesterol or to quit smoking. For a healthy heart eat more seafood, nuts and increase your exercise routine. If your relationship needs a check-up consider going to counseling or seeing your pastor for guidance. Learning how to "agree to disagree" can mend your relationship and your heart.

The chemistry of romance

A first kiss can offer many clues into the soul of a person. That kiss can give insight into a person's sexuality, intentions, patience and health. Research reports that 66% of women will discontinue a relationship after a first bad kiss. The science of kissing states that we smell the person we kiss and unconsciously our brain is responding to their immune system. Anthropologist Helen Fisher PhD of Rutgers University says, "That when you believe someone is a bad kisser it probably means that their immune system is wrong for you. The closer your immune system is to the person you're kissing the more likely it is that the female might reject the fetus." Over 50% of both men and women have reported that they were really attracted to someone until they kissed them.

Phermones are another important chemical that creates attractions which releases through the olfactory system to the brain. This triggers a biological response of "love at first sight". Expert Beverly Palmer PhD believes "that the most important sign of attraction is mutual eye contact." After the initial attraction she states that you will then witness preening from the interested males or female who will begin to mirror your behaviors of touching hair, lips, or crossing legs. This is a signal that states, "I'm interested in you."

Studies have shown that the chemical connection through mutual scents the body produces will attract a potential partner. Keeping that initial passion in a relationship is very difficult as these chemicals need to be newly stimulated. Over time relationships will move from the physical attraction to the deeper emotional intimacy. To revitalize the sexual communication in your relationship try a 10 second to 1 minute kiss every day. It's what the love doctor orders to arouse the love and lust in your relationship.

Tuesday, February 02, 2010

Take the "Love Dare" this month

The month of February bombards us with commercials of purchasing certain products to display the love that you feel for the people in your life. As we struggle with the different relationships in our lives, most people realize that there is more to intimacy than just purchasing an item. People come from all walks of life and from all over the world. We come in all shapes and sizes, old and young with different hopes and dreams. The one thing that we all have in common is that each and every one of us desire to matter and be loved.

People show that they care for one another in their words, actions, and attitudes that are displayed each and every day. This gift has no dollar value and must be nurtured for it to thrive. It may cost you your time to simply be with someone when they are sad, hurt or lonely. There are unlimited ways that you can let the people in your life know you are thinking of them. You may make their favorite meal or surprise them by purchasing tickets to a special show or event. Plan a special evening alone or finish the "honey do" list that has been pending for months. Money and gifts can prove their love for one day but it can leave you lonely for the remainder of the year.

Over time relationships can become strained with the pressures of life and couples desire to renew or rekindle their love. The Love Dare written by Alex and Stephen Kendrick who are pastors at Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, Georgia wrote a forty-day guided devotional experience that leads your heart back to truly loving your spouse. Each day asks you to look at specific ways to display love to your partner to heal your relationship. These are simple acts of love that can also be used for children, extended family members or anyone who been difficult for you to display unconditional love to. So this Valentine's Day challenge yourself to improve or revitalize your relationships all year round.

"If you find it in your heart to care for somebody else, you will have succeeded." Maya Angelou