Posted on August 19th, 2011 by Craig Maltby, Editor
Tis the political season: Arguing and immune health
The political season is heating up. Here in Iowa, we just had the Straw Poll in Ames last week. So it’s getting intense around here leading up to
the Iowa caucuses in early 2012.
One thing I may pledge to do this year is not watch the heated arguing between pundits or candidates that constantly inhabits the 24/7 cable news shows.
That may be tough for me to do. I’m kind of a political news junkie, especially during the run up to a general election. And I live in Iowa, where the electoral fireworks start up every four years.
But the shouting, denigrating, sensationalizing and childish tantrums have become too much. And, I have an innate feeling that if I subject myself to too much of this loud bickering, my health may be affected for the worse. Some research shows I may be right.
Read about how arguing may make you sick. And arguing among older couples can be hazardous, too. These science-based narratives show how arguing can impact your immune health.
Come to think of it, a lot of the cable news shouting does take place among older people. I can’t remember the last time a 20 something was on Fox News or CNN and was snorting fire. Maybe we can learn something from the younger generation.
However, another expert view is that arguing may help your health and immune response over time, serving as a release to prevent hidden tension from building over the long term. Of course, that information was posted on–what else–MSNBC.
August 20th, 2011 at 1:15 am
i guess going nuts on someone relieves stress and pressure but exercise would do pretty much the same, prevent you from looking and sounding like an A-hole and benefit probably many other parts of your body in the process. to me a shouting match to ‘get it out there’ is like when fat people say they have ‘a thyroid’ condition to explain the fact that that eat too much.
i worked for an italian once who verbally abused his staff on a regular basis and then told us how much better he felt to get it all said however leaving behind in his wake people who probably have not recovered since. i know because i only worked for him for 2 yrs and i won’t ever forget it.
politicians do this for a living though. instead of persuading us with calmness, facts they often distort the truth to fit their argument. it is so transparent too. i agree the upcoming elections are a time to just check out for a year or so.