Make Your Relationships Better by Reducing the Stress Around Them

Research shows that older adults who have supportive relationships have DNA that ages one to two years more slowly than peers without such relationships. This highlights a direct biological impact of emotional connection, comparable in importance to diet and exercise.​

Emotional support significantly decreases feelings of depression in older adults, reinforcing the idea that emotional connection is a protective mental health factor.​

According to psychologist Stefanie Mazer, stress builds when couples go too long without meaningful connection. Even 30 minutes a few times a week, without distractions, can significantly improve how partners feel toward each other.

“Truth windows” are short weekly check-ins where each person can share something they’ve been holding back without interruption or fixing. The goal is to clear unspoken tensions, not solve problems.​

Many relationship conflicts stem from internalized, unspoken rules. When expectations aren’t clarified, partners may repeatedly feel misunderstood or let down without knowing why.​