Heart-Healthy Harmony
A formative, family-friendly factoid from a survey or study in the news.
Domestic discord breaks hearts. Literally. A report in the Oct. 8 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine describes a British study that linked constant bickering in the home — whether between spouses, children or any combination of the two — with a significantly heightened risk of cardiovascular disease. Of course, some conflict is inevitable wherever two or more are gathered under a family name. How to tame tension in a loving Catholic home? Quit trying to win arguments, say the experts. Not only will you do your heart a favor but you’ll also show the children how to practice the cardinal virtue of prudence. “Some people view conflict and confrontation as a win-lose situation. These spouses see being right as far more important than the marital relationship,” points out a wise column in Christianity Today. “But working out a hurtful issue is not about who’s right and who’s wrong. Your goal should not be to win, but to confront a conflict and restore the harmony in your relationship.”
