Fight it out for your health

A study says that couples in which both parties suppress their anger when one attacks the other, die earlier than couples, where one or both partners express their anger.

First it is called a lovers’ tiff. It’s short and sweet. And, then when it matures with time, it is rechristened as marital discord. For those who experience this mood-altering experience once too often, here’s some good news. No, your bitter half has not promised to change for the better. A new study says that a fight may be actually good for a couple’s health.

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The study, led by Ernest Harburg of the U-M School of Public Health and the Psychology Department, says that couples in which both parties suppress their anger when one attacks the other, die earlier than couples, where one or both partners express their anger and resolve the conflict. And, the sage conflict manager adds, that if you bury your anger, and you brood on it and you don’t try to resolve the problem, then you’re in trouble.

Though the study gives us a scientific basis to continue the fight-and-make-up routine, it is not an earth-shattering news. Ask the women. The motto has always been: why bottle up everything inside, when you have the whole world to talk to. A chat with someone close always had the assured results. And, for men, there was always that beer bottle at hand. So, on a Monday morning are we egging you on for another round of verbal duel? No don’t get us wrong, just stand up say: “This is me. I’m not proud of it — in fact, I’m a little embarrassed by it — but this is who I am.” That, we are sure, will be the knockout punch for a day of good health.