Healthy Ever After: People in a Happy Marriage Enjoy Better Health
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Happily married people will have better mental and physical health compared to those who are not happy with their marriage, according to numerous studies. This finding is not only based on how spouses view their relationship; it is also based on the patterns and the quality of each spouse’s specific social interactions with their partners. Healthier Habits, Reduced Stress The studies say engaging with one’s spouse will not treat diseases, but it can build stronger relationships, which can improve both people’s spirits and well-being. This, in turn, helps lower their stress levels. Happily married couples also tend to inspire healthier habits and better coping mechanisms. They encourage one another to stay current on their doctor’s appointments, eat healthier, sleep better, drink less, and participate in physical activities.
When a partner goes through a bad day, in a happy marriage, the other is more likely to support and empathize with the other. This kind of support helps reduce stress; it also acts as a buffer against a decline in health. Comparable to Other Risk Factors One specific study adds a person’s social relationships to the list of factors affecting a person’s chances of dying or living. The study specifically compared low social interactions to other well-known risk factors. In particular, the lack of good social relationships is equivalent to smoking 15 cigarettes a day and being alcoholic. The lack of good social relationships is also more harmful than not exercising; it is even twice as harmful as obesity.
Increased Chances of Survival Another study, which aims to determine the extent to which social relationships influence the mortality risks of a person, found out that people with stronger social relationships have a 50% increased likelihood of survival. There is good news for singles as well. Studies show that unmarried people with active lifestyles enjoy their own health benefits.
RESOURCES: http://munews.missouri.edu/news-releases/2013/0213-happily-married-couplesconsider-themselves-healthier-says-mu-expert/ http://familycounselingdenverco.com/