Whether you're arguing about something as trivial as dirty dishes or as serious as infidelity, fighting with someone you love stings. In the moment, you may feel angry, alienated, and hopeless, but according to research, the effects of fighting can be long-lasting and detrimental to your mental and physical health.
"There is an abundance of growing research that sheds light on marital conflict and the toll it can take on an individual's health in a relationship," says Christina Eller, LMHC, a psychotherapist specializing in partnership, marriage, and intimacy. "Marital conflicts that lead couples into a negative state of mind tend to suffer increased stress, anxiety, and depression." But the effects aren't just mentally challenging; they can also cause harm to your physical health.
