Relationships with a negative impact do not only weigh on morale, but they may in reality have far deeper consequences for health.
According to a study, toxic relationship could make us age faster. Having in its social surrounding a negative person, whether it is someone close, a colleague or a friend, does not simply have a psychological impact, this could also affect directly our body. These relationships could reduce life expectancy and increase the risk of developing chronic diseases.
But what makes ageing faster? Simply the facts of being constantly exposed to negative interactions damage not only your mental health but also physical health. The study puts forward striking results: individuals surrounded by toxic relationship show signs of accelerated ageing. Toxic relationships are not only a source of daily distress, but also a true factor of risk for long-term health.
Today, these negative relationships are often normalised, even though they may have deeper effects than imagined. It is in this context that several scientific research have found interest in the real impact on human health.
What is a toxic relationship?
It is a relationship which is considered toxic when it is marked by negative behaviours that harm a person’s well-being. This may involve bad communication, such as shouting, silence or passive-aggressive behaviour, but also manipulation, control or even ongoing demeaning remarks. Over time, these behaviours may create a heavy atmosphere, induce stress and weaken self-confidence.
This type of relationship may exist in every part of our life: with a partner, a friend, a colleague or even a parent. This is what makes it difficult to handle. These individuals are often part of our daily life, our close social environment, or part of our family, which makes it difficult to take distance. The point is not only to walk away, because emotional affect, obligations or habits may be involved. Toxic relationships often develop gradually and discreetly, making their identification and management even more complex.
A particularly revealing scientific study
This study relies on a large sample of more than 2,300 adults, aged 18 and over. In order to obtain such results, researchers used a scientific method based on the analysis of saliva samples from participants. The use of saliva allows to analyse biological markers related to ageing, which offers a more accurate picture of the real state of a person’s health. This method is particularly useful because it allows to see changes invisible to the naked eye.
Thanks to these samples, researchers have observed biological ageing, meaning ageing at the cellular level, which can be different from the chronological age. By studying cells present in saliva, it has been possible to estimate biological age of individuals and measure the speed at which the body is ageing.
Biological ageing is the progressive decline of body’s functions, at the level of the tissues and cells. It should be distinguished from chronological ageing, which simply represent the number of years since birth. In theory, these two different ages should evolve similarly, but in reality, they may diverge and evolve according to living condition and environment.
The results of the study are particularly striking. Around 30% of the participants declare to have in their surrounding a negative person, described as “hassler”, which represent a daily source of stress. However, these toxic relationships are not without consequences. Researchers have found a link between these relationships and accelerated ageing of the body. Each toxic relationship could increase the speed of ageing of about 1.5% and be associated with a biological age of nine months older than it should be.
On top of everything, these negative relationships were also associated with higher inflammation, more chronic diseases and also mental health degradation. Individuals concerned by this also showed more signs of distress, which may reinforce even more the effect on the body. Toxic relationships are not limited to emotional impact; they may directly influence physical health.
This study shows that toxic relationship may act directly on the body by accelerating ageing. To sum up, the more a person is exposed to this type of relationship, the more the effect accumulate, progressively increasing risks for long term health.
Why is it so difficult to take its distance from them?
To take its distance from toxic relationships is not always that simple. They are often deeply rooted in daily life, whether they are related to close family members, colleagues or other persons from our close social environment. These links may create a form of dependence, whether emotional or social, making separation difficult.
The person experiencing negative relationship may fear taking distance or expect that the situation gets better, which makes the decision even harder. With that, internal conflicts may add up such as guilt or the feeling of loyalty which can further hinder the decision to step away. The true challenge is not to avoid toxic people, but to find ways to manage these situations while protecting ourselves.
What are the solutions?
When facing toxic relationships, the more radical solution may be to cut ties with these persons. However, it is not always that simple, particularly when these individuals are a part of our daily life or within our close cercle. In such situations, it is essential to establish clear boundaries to protect ourselves. These boundaries may include less frequent exchange, avoid sensitive topics or even learn how to clearly express our needs. The objective is to be protected without entering into a direct conflict.
Learning how to say no, reducing interaction or even taking a step back may allow to manage these relationships better. The aim is not necessarily to run away at all costs, but to find ways to deal with these persons while preserving our well-being.
Preserving relationships to preserve health
Toxic relationships are not simply limited to emotional discomfort; they have a real impact on physical health and ageing process. As the study suggests, these negative interactions could not only deteriorate our mental health but also accelerate biological ageing through the stress they generate.
Protecting our social environment also means protecting our long-term health. These results show how important it is to take into account these relationships in our everyday life and raise awareness of their effects, which are still too often underestimated.
Sources
https://www.foxnews.com/health/toxic-people-your-life-may-have-hidden-health-impact-study-suggests
https://www.medreport.foundation/post/for-review-how-toxic-relationships-affect-physical-health
