I’m sure you’ve heard the saying, “Don’t ever go to bed angry.” Well, there could be more to this than you think. A group of researchers at Oregon State University found that when people resolve arguments or disagreements by the day’s end, the positive emotional response they associate with that disagreement is significantly reduced or completed erased. This reduction or resolution of feelings may actually have a “major impact on overall health.”
The thought process, according to senior researched Robert Stawski, is that “resolving your arguments is quite important for maintaining well-being in daily life.”
The research team found the people in the study who were able to resolve or avoid an argument showed less negative reactivity and emotions the same day of the argument and even more so the following day.
Resolving your arguments before the end of the is beneficial to your interpersonal relationships. Holding on to anger, fear or resentment can make it more difficult for you to fall asleep or have a good night’s rest or be able to think clearly the following day. I try to implement this in my own life because I would regret being angry at someone I love and then never get the chance to make up or tell them otherwise.
Practice it with me –resolve your arguments before the end of the day. Let go of the negativity that can adversely affect more than just our mood so we can all sleep a little better, live a little longer and have more happiness in our hearts.
Jeremiah Robinson is a licensed and certified Physician Assistant in Atlanta, GA.