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Why Marriage Is Good For Your Health
A study in the US has shown that married couples have a lower risk of heart attacks, strokes, cancer and even pneumonia.
The National Longitudinal Mortality Study (NLMS), which has been tracking more than a million American subjects since 1979, showed that married woman are 20 per cent less likely to die of a variety of causes, including ovarian cancer and cirrhosis of the liver. While married men enjoy an even greater benefit because they are three times less likely to die early than their bachelor friends.
The reason is all down to the fact that being married means better lifestyle habits, a better functioning immune system and someone to nag you to go to the doctor.
‘Marriage is sort of like a seat belt when it comes to improving your wellbeing,’ says Dr. Linda Waite, a professor of sociology at the University of Chicago and author of The case for marriage.
‘We can put it in exactly the same category as eating a good diet, getting exercise and not smoking.’
What are the health benefits?
A longer life
As long as you’re getting hitched to Mr or Mrs Right, getting married could be a big boost to a longer life.
Statistically studies show marriage prolongs your life, with one study from the University of Chicago discovering that married men live on average 10 years longer than non-married men and married women live approximately four years longer.
And the longer the relationship the greater the benefit, with research showing that the more anniversaries a couple spend together, the more likely they are to hit the 100 year-old barrier.
Increasing your longevity is all down to the fact married men adopt less risky and more healthy lifestyles than their single counterparts, while women live longer due to improved financial wellbeing and emotional security.
Stave off depression
Wedded bliss can also give you a powerful mental health boost, which means on the whole you’ll be less depressed, less anxious and less psychologically distressed than single, divorced or widowed people.
Dr Linda Waite agrees: ‘The reason is that marriage often provides couples with a sense of meaning in life, as well as company and a shared aspiration.
‘This in turn gives couples a more positive focus as well as a handy cocoon to shelter themselves from the ”big nasty world” outside.’
Keep happy
Marriage has been shown to increase general happiness. Overall, 40 per cent of married people, compared with just 25 per cent of single people, say they are happy with their life.
The survey, led by Professor Andrew Oswald at the University of Warwick, likens the benefits of marriage on our happiness levels to the equivalent of an annual cash injection of $90 000 into our lives.
The reason why your nuptials can make you happy is simply that getting married fulfils what we all need in order to be happy – someone to take an interest in us, to look after us and someone to prioritise our needs.
If we feel we are the most important person to at least one other person (and vice versa) then we’re guaranteed to be happy.
Stay relaxed
Even if you’re in the throes of stress-related wedding hysteria the good news is once you’re married you can look forward to lower stress levels for life.
Researchers at the Mayo Clinic in America put the lower stress readings amongst married couples down to ‘a problem shared is a problem-halved’ theory.
Meaning, as a married couple you are better equipped to handle what life throws at you because you have someone to share your worries with.
‘Within a happy marriage, you literally have twice the resources – financial, practical and emotional – of a single person,’ says relationship counsellor Joy Kirsch.
‘This allows you to deal with the issues that stress you out more readily and with support.’
But watch out! You might find yourself piling on the pounds
Unfortunately, studies also show that married people (especially men) weigh more and have higher rates of obesity than singletons.
With one study at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health finding that the average person gains 6 to 8lbs over a two-year period after tying the knot.
But contrary to popular belief, it’s not because married people let themselves go but because couples eat more regularly, exercise less, and lead a more a sedentary lifestyle than singletons.
Posted by
Jeromy
October 14, 2011 at 5:44 pm
come on people, don’t be overwhelmed. getting married is one thing, but facing reality is another! it may not be as fancy as it sounds. yet to marry(about 9yrs down the line)
lynnette
October 15, 2011 at 10:04 pm
ehhhh even me mwe…
ayo
October 15, 2011 at 10:12 pm
lolest!!!nice one ba independent observer
msana Wanzinini
October 17, 2011 at 4:44 pm
Iam dating a young gal, 14yrs my Junior, kali sweetilili but stil tuma childsh bhave. But i love her, she 20yes old. Kamwana kumutonga.
DOC D
October 18, 2011 at 3:11 pm
Nomba nga tauimyanga bakutana fye? Alabambi bagelo nisoka kuti wakwata naka depresion. Ka excuse batemwa ukubonfya ati NADWALA.
Slim Giant
October 18, 2011 at 4:34 pm
Love is blind but marriage is an eye opener…
Chendabwanba
November 7, 2011 at 12:17 pm
Marriage was a beautiful thing then but now love looks what i have personally achieved & compares with the partner, hence, marriages have been unable to last a test of time like our parents.
DJ
December 15, 2011 at 8:12 pm
WILL YOU MARRY ME?
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