By dint of living together we end up having the same language tics, the same character traits. What if these similarities were visible even in the health of both partners?
This synchronization within the couple was observed by Shannon Mejia of the University of Michigan (USA). The researcher found that people who age together experience biological changes that make them look more and more alike. “Getting older is something couples do together, sums up Shannon Mejia at the npr site, you live and enjoy the same environment and you make decisions together”. This sharing process goes so far as to connect the two people emotionally but also physically.
Common life=common health?
This “contagion” synchronization would mean that the health and possible health problems of one of the partners are visible in his other half.
These striking similarities have been observed in 1,568 American couples who have been together for more than 20 years and for more than 50 years. After decades of living together, similarities were noticed in kidney function, cholesterol levels, and gripping ability.
These results, presented at the annual meeting of the Gerontological Society of America, add to the work highlighting the emotional similarities between two partners who have lived together for a long time. Optimism or depression would often be shared by the other.
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