Peace of mind can be a powerful cure-all

KNIGHT RIDDER NEWSPAPERS
You fracture your ankle in a skiing accident. You burn your hand on the grill. You nick your finger slicing vegetables.
Chances are good you'll heal in a reasonable period of time and move on.
But hold on. If you're in a troubled relationship or facing marital crisis, it could take longer, according to a study published in Allure magazine.
Psychologists at Ohio State University inflicted small arm blisters on 42 couples on two occasions. In one scenario, they asked them to discuss goals. In the second, they provoked arguments and anger.
In the second, more stressful incident, the subjects took at least a day longer to heal.
Researchers said when people tested high on marital dissatisfaction, the skin repaired itself 60 percent more slowly than the skin of people in amicable situations. Healing is a complex, sensitive process, they concluded.