Is there something inherently better about being married?
I got this info from Focus On The Family.
The current body of research consistently finds married men and women are:
- More likely to live longer
- More likely to be physically healthier
- More likely to be mentally healthier
- More likely to be happier
- Recover from illness quicker and more successfully
- Generally, take better care of themselves and avoid risky behavior
Longevity
Many studies have shown that married adults have a greater likelihood of living longer than their unmarried counterparts.
3 The association between marriage and decreased mortality has even been established in studies conducted in a wide variety of cultures.
4
Additionally, UCLA Professor Robert Coombs found, “Virtually every study of mortality and marital status shows the unmarried of both sexes have higher death rates, whether by accident, disease, or self-inflicted wounds, and this is found in every country that maintains accurate health statistics.”
5
The reasons married people tend to live longer are not fully understood, but researchers hypothesized that the benefit could a result of the economic advantages of marriage. However, they found no significant link between income level and probability of death.
6 When it comes to extending life, marriage - not money - consistently predicts the benefit.
Physical Health
Married people live longer because they are more likely to enjoy better physical health. The various ways marriage protects the health of married adults run the gamut, “The protective influence of marriage applies not only to more minor illnesses like colds, flu, and migraine headaches but also to serious health issues like cancer, heart disease, and heart attacks – as well as the need for any kind of surgery.”
7
Researchers studying marital health in seventeen different nations observed married persons are more likely to recognize symptoms, seek medical treatment, avoid risky behavior, recover quicker, and eat a healthier diet.
8
One significant reason marriage has such strong health benefits is that spouses are intimately aware of and impacted by their spouse’s choices. In a sense, couples have a significant vested interest in watching out for one another and encouraging healthy choices and behavior.
Wives tend to discourage drinking, smoking, unnecessary risk-taking, and also improve their family’s diet.
9 In fact, men actually decrease many self-destructive patterns up to a year before their actual wedding date.
10 It seems even planning to get married improves a man’s health.
Another health benefit comes from emotional support. Researchers found emotional support from a spouse can help people recover from both minor and major illnesses and even help cope with chronic diseases.
11 Some studies even suggest that marital relationships actually boost the immune system,
12 making sickness less likely in the first place.