That's what Harvard Medical School researchers are saying. They discovered that Japanese women who live with their mothers-in-law are 3 times more likely to suffer from a heart attack. iTALK explores the dil ka rishta
That's what Harvard Medical School researchers are saying. They discovered that Japanese women who live with their mothers-in-law are 3 times more likely to suffer from a heart attack. iTALK explores the dil ka rishta
Remember Jennifer Lopez and Jane Fonda fighting it out in Monster In-Law? New research goes a step further to suggest that a hostile relationship with your in-laws can actually give you a heart attack.u00a0
Scientists have said that women are up to three times more likely to develop serious heart disease if they live under the same roof as their extended family. The stress of acting as daughter, mother and partner can damage the heart by causing high blood pressure, even diabetes.
"It's owing to the multiple roles they are expected to play. While various factors including high cholesterol, lack of exercise, obesity, smoking and blood pressure, can lead to a heart attack, stress is a major reason," says Dr Hasmukh Ravat, Head of Department-Cardiology, Wockhardt Hospital.
Don't ape a television soap
Dr Parul Tank, Consultant psychiatrist, Wockhardt and Godrej Hospitals
The K serials portray unrealistic characters in a bid to create drama and up TRPS.
>>Treat your in-laws like family.
>>Communicate with your spouse and your in-laws.
>>Study the way things are done in your spouse's household, and don't try to change things immediately. Do it gradually after you have built a rapport with them.
>>Resolve conflict by listening to each other and arriving at a solution, rather than arguing.
You can't please everyone
Ameeta Shah-Sanghavi, Family and Relationship expert
Women must strike a balance between pleasing others, and satisfying themselves. When a daughter-in-law enters a new home, areas of conflict are bound to arise since there is more than one person in charge.
How to deal with it: Watch the way things function, navigate your way by bonding with members of your partner's family. Learn when to say no. Don't take on more responsibilities than you can handle because you are keen to please. It could leave you resentful if your efforts are not appreciated.
CELEB BAHU
Archana Puran Singh
With women playing multiple roles, they tend to be under stress, and in extreme cases, I guess it could take a toll on their heart. Earlier, women accepted a passive role. Now, they are assertive and want their space and privacy. You have to ask yourself what's more important to you your individuality or your relationship with your partner and his family, and accordingly compromise on one.
CASE STUDY
Ma-in-law helps me cope with stress
Thirty five year-old Sheetal Mukherjee (see above image) scoffs at Jap researchers who say staying with your mother-in-law can give you a cardiac arrest. Sheetal and her mother-in-law Abharani believe in giving space and respecting each other's view. As marketing head for an animation firm, Sheetal has to manage work and home. "I start work at 10.30 am, and am back by 7.30 pm. My mother-in-law makes it a point to help me in the kitchen, cutting vegetables, even preparing dinner on her own sometimes. This helps me save time." While there are disagreements between the two, talking things out is the way these two maintain the tricky balance, Sheetal says.
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