better health
There’s a reason we use the term broken-hearted. The pain of a relationship ending isn’t just emotional but physical. So, how can we protect ourselves?
Suffered heartbreak? It’s time to prioritise your wellbeing, as research shows splitting from a partner is bad for your health. “In one 40-year study of 2,000 people, divorce was a greater risk factor for death than smoking,” says Florence Williams, author of Heartbreak :A Personal And Scientific Journey (WW Norton, £11.99).
Florence researched the science of heartbreak after her own marriage break-up. “When we lose our partner, it’s a throwback to being alone in the jungle,” she explains. “Inflammation is helpful if you’re about to be injured or attacked, as it can help fight injury. But when we are stuck in a state of fear, inflammation becomes a powerful fertiliser for illnesses.”
Psychotherapist Keeley Taverner (Keyforchange.com) says the health of her clients suffer when they are enduring emotional upheaval. “Symptoms such as IBS, high blood pressure, bruxism (teeth grinding) and headaches often come up. Skin conditions such as eczema can also flare and, of course, sleep problems are common,” she says.
For some, heart health can be affected. “Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, sometimes called ‘broken-heart syndrome’, is brought on by sudden distress in otherwise healthy people,” explains Florence. “It’s long been known that emotional shock can cause heart failure, but it wasn’t until 1990 that Japanese researchers were able to use new imaging technology to reveal an unexpected signature of illness, leading to formal recognition of the syndrome.” The good news is, recovery from heartbreak is possible. “Research predicts it takes three-to-four years for one’s emotional and physical health to return to baseline after a long marriage,” says Florence. “I’d estimate that all of the things I tried probably sped up my heartbreak convalescence between 25 and 50 per cent.” Try these steps to heal the hurt and return to good health and emotional wellbeing.
Heartbreak is a form of grief and shou
