As it turns out marriage is actually good for you – your health. Recent research suggests that married people vs their single counterparts;
- live longer
- have fewer strokes and heart attacks
- have a lower chance of becoming depressed
- are less likely to have advanced cancer at the time of diagnosis and more likely to survive cancer for a longer period of time
- survive a major operation more often
- have a lower chance of developing dementia.
He who finds a wife finds a good thing, And obtains favor from the Lord.
Bible
What’s the connection between marriage and your health
- When one gets married they tend to think twice before getting into risky behavior. Behaviors like smoking, excessive drinking, reckless driving are discarded for the sake of the spouse and or children. Now that one is married they have to be more careful and responsible.
- Another advantage of being married is adopting healthier behaviors e.g. healthier eating habits, exercise, and regular health checks. Your partner will probably notice when you are not feeling well and take you to see a doctor early. In a working marriage partners look out for each other’s health
- In a happy marriage the partners enjoy better immunity. All that laughter, touching, spending time together, good sex, etc. all contribute to an overall improved immune response system. And this translates to your body having better germ fighting abilities leading to lower infections and diseases.
- A good marriage also provides you with an emotionally fulfilling, intimate relationship which satisfies the need for social connection. This has implications for your physical and mental health, e.g. less chance of becoming depressed
- Heart disease remains the world’s top killer. Being married has been shown to reduce your risk of developing it. Happily married couples seem to have a slightly lower blood pressure reading than their single partners – even accounting for supportive social networks. And we know high blood pressure is a major factor in heart disease.
- And while on the topic, marriage is good for the heart. It not only protects against heart attacks, but also should one happen, chances of surviving one are greatly enhanced.
- While being married does not protect you from getting cancer, it certainly improves your chances of surviving it. From earlier detection, to better treatment options, to better survival rates, being married is definitely a plus for any cancer patient.
We should however note that these health benefits just don’t automatically happen when in a marriage. They apply to good and working marriages. A bad or stressful marriage is worse for your health than drinking and smoking combined. And a bad marriage is even worse for men. If you are in a bad marriage, mend it or end it
So the next time your spouse annoys you and you think you may be better off solo, think again. Having a good marriage can save your life. Literally. So work on your marriage. If for no other reason than your health.
It’s time to invest in your marriage. Let us help you.
fkathambana@mshauri.co.ke