While researching an article for this week’s blog, I came across a video from CNN.com that explains how divorce can take a toll on a person’s health. I was somewhat intrigued because I never thought that a problem like divorce, which isn’t necessarily physical, would cause such harsh problems physically. The video follows two individuals who have gone through divorce, and are trying to take care of themselves in order to prevent the problems that could occur later in their lives.
According to the U.S. Bureau of the Census, young people who are marrying for the first time will face a 40-50% chance of divorce in their lifetime. Other statistics show that the divorce rate is increasing partially because more couples live together prior to marriage. Estimates are around 60% or more. Money and children were the top two topics that married couples argue about
A sociologist, Linda Waite, from the video talks about how these effects can show up later in life, showing up twenty, thirty, or even forty years later. Many of the diseases or physical ailments are caused by the amount of stress that couples go through when dealing with the process of divorce. After the divorce takes place, individuals stop taking care of themselves they way they had before. Their health would be a major concern in this case when they aren’t taking care of their bodies. With all of these things going on, some of the future problems involve heart disease or even cancer.
There are some ways that individuals can use to take care of themselves after divorce in order to avoid or prevent these serious complications.
- Eat well
- Stay connected with friends
- Exercise
- Get enough sleep
- Regular health check-ups
Another topic after divorce involves finding love again. Waite discusses how important it is that people allow themselves to find love again after they have been separated. Both individuals that were followed through the video have found love in new relationships.
This was an interesting blog. I, too, wasn't aware that divorce could be that stressful on a person's health. It makes sense, though, because I'm sure divorce is very stressful. I also found some of the reasons the divorce rate is so high interesting. I find it kind of ironic that one of the reasons the divorce rate is climbing is because people are getting married too young, but back in the day, when the divorce rates weren't all that high, people were getting married even younger. I also thought it was interesting that people who live together before marriage have a higher chance of getting divorced. In my opinion, it would be the opposite. If you live together first, you can find out everything about each other to see if you really want to make the lifelong committment.
ReplyDeleteHealth is not one of the first things you think about when hearing or dealing with a divorce. I definitely understand where it can become a huge factor though. Divorces can lead people to depression, which in some cases people totally let themselves go and don’t care anymore. That can lead to many health issues such as the ones you listed and weight gain from eating because you are depressed. Also, the whole finding love after you have been divorced is great, but it can be very difficult or hard sometimes for an individual to do so. Especially, if someone is a single parent.
ReplyDeleteI knew that divorce was a big issue, but I did not know it was this big of an issue. After reading your post and watching the video, I now realize that it causes more stress to a person's body than I thought it did. It makes sense as well that when two people divorce there is a small sense of failure. I think I would feel the same way if I divorced my Husband. I'm sure there are even more health factors involved when children are going through the divorce as well. And as for finding love, I think that would be tough. It's good to find it again though. I remember reading somewhere in a magazing that even hugging your significant other releases chemicals in the body that prevent against heart disease. Good job Eden.
ReplyDeleteI have seen a few news reports lately relating to your blog you wrote this week and found it interesting. I as well don’t think of divorce affecting your physical health but after reading what you found out I can definitely see how it affects you. In one of the news reports I saw they were also saying how it affects the kids’ life in the same ways and they need to be taken care of physically as well as mentally. The divorce rate definitely seems to be on the rise and it makes you take a second look before just jumping on the marriage wagon. I could see how money would be an issue but fighting about the kids so much that you get a divorce over it just sounds bizarre to me and kind of sad.
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