Curiosity Chronicle The Hidden Cost of Ambivalent Relationships
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Jan 12, 2026 Dive into the surprising impact of relationships on your health. Researchers reveal how they classify social connections into supportive, demeaning, and ambivalent types. Discover how ambivalent relationships can spike blood pressure and anxiety, keeping our nervous systems on high alert. Adam Grant’s insights highlight that mixed emotions in relationships might be more harmful than outright negativity. Learn about a relationship map to help identify which connections to nurture or minimize for better well-being.
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Stress Test With A Friend
- Participants brought a friend and delivered an impromptu speech to induce stress and receive feedback.
- Researchers measured heart rate and blood pressure to assess physiological reactions to the friend's feedback.
Unpredictability Triggers Physical Stress
- Ambivalent relationships caused higher blood pressure, anxiety, and heart rate reactivity.
- Those effects persisted even when the ambivalent friend gave positive feedback.
Anticipatory Nervous System Response
- The nervous system anticipates and stays on alert when relationships are unpredictable.
- Constant low-grade vigilance from ambivalence takes a toll over time.
