Gottman has found, in fact, that the presence of contempt in a marriage can even predict such things as how many colds a husband or a wife gets; in other words, having someone you love express contempt toward you is so stressful that it begins to affect the functioning of your immune system.
In his research, John Gottman discovered that contempt in a marriage is a major indicator of the couple's overall wellbeing. This negative emotion can significantly impact a partner's health, even correlating with the number of colds they might catch. It highlights how deeply the emotional climate of a relationship can influence physical health.
When someone experiences contempt from a loved one, it induces substantial stress, ultimately leading to a decline in immune system functions. This illustrates the powerful connection between emotional experiences and physical health, emphasizing the need for nurturing relationships to promote overall wellness.
