Did you know that marriage and health are closely linked?
While there are plenty of benefits to marrying that special someone and spending the rest of your life together, a good marriage is also contributing to your overall health.
The opposite is also true, of course. Lack of clear communication, not making sacrifices, passive-aggressive behavior, bringing up issues from the past, allowing anger to take control, and more, are all things that can hurt your mental health and even heart.
Let’s see, however, how a healthy relationship with your partner can help you improve the quality of your life:
Marriage and Health: The Connection
1. Marriage protects against heart diseases.
Good social life and a healthy relationship with your partner are two areas of life that can contribute to your heart health and increase your lifespan.
A study found out that unmarried people had a 42% higher risk of a heart disease.
If you’ve found that special someone already, cherish them, make time for each other every day, be honest, and your relationship will thrive, together with your heart health.
2. Less stress.
A happy and healthy marriage is linked to lower stress levels.
Researchers have found that the levels of the stress hormone cortisol were higher in single people. The same goes for those who are widowed or divorced.
The opposite can also be true, though. There are health benefits to being single.
While arguments are completely normal in every relationship, they don’t bring unwanted stress and negative emotions in the long-run. Just the opposite. Having someone to make up with and never feeling lonely again are factors helping you reduce stress.
3. Sharing a bed makes you healthier.
While sharing a bed with your partner every night for years and even decades might cost you some sleep as you both move around more, it’s actually beneficial to your health.
Sleeping together with your partner (bonus points for cuddles and intimacy) stimulates the release of the love hormone oxytocin. That leads to a deeper relationship, less stress and anxiety, and better sleep.
4. Those in a happy marriage can recover faster from a surgery.
According to a study, “happily wedded people who undergo coronary bypass surgery are more than three times as likely to be alive 15 years later as their unmarried counterparts”.
5. Boosted survival rates of cancer patients.
To take the connection between marriage and health further, it’s worth mentioning the incredible fact that married people are more likely to survive cancer.
One of the main reasons for that is the support you receive at home on a daily basis and having someone to take care of you and simply be there when you need them.
Even if you refuse to appear weak and don’t want to bother others too much, a spouse will do what it takes to lift your spirits and help you recover faster.
These are 5 of the many things proving the relationship between marriage and health.
The happier your marriage is, the longer you and your partner will live to enjoy many more years together and keep each other healthy.
If you notice that your marriage is in trouble, consider marriage counseling.
Do what you can today to show appreciation. Skip that argument, make that sacrifice, say you’re sorry, and remind them you love them.