Stonewalling
Emotional withdrawal during conflict — silence, shut-down, refusal to engage — identified by Gottman as a top predictor of relationship failure.
Why this habit matters
- Mental_health: Sustained physiological flooding (high cortisol, elevated heart rate) damages cardiovascular and immune health.
- Communication: Both partners unlearn how to repair conflict; problems compound unaddressed for years.
- Relationships: Identified by Gottman Institute as a top predictor of divorce; corrodes intimacy faster than active conflict.
Related habits
- Amplifies: Bottling Up Emotions
- Related to: Avoiding Difficult Conversations