HEALTH BENEFITS OF MARRIAGE FOR MEN AND WOMEN

By Aaron Anderson

Marriage has long been celebrated for its emotional, social, and spiritual significance. But did you know there are actually a lot of health benefits that come along with marriage, too? Even more interestingly, while there are many health advantages for marriage in general, the advantages are different for men and women. So, sure. You got married for love and romance and to live a long, happy life with your partner. But sit tight because you’re about to find out about the other benefits you didn’t know you were getting just from being married.

 Ways Marriage Helps Men’s Health

1. Improved Physical Health: One of the most notable health benefits of marriage for men is the positive impact on physical health. Research has shown that married men tend to live longer than their single or divorced counterparts. They are also less likely to suffer from serious health conditions such as heart disease, stroke, and cancer, too. There are several reasons marriage positively impacts men’s health. Here are just a few of them:
   1. Lifestyle Improvements: Married men are more likely to adopt healthier lifestyles, in part due to the influence of their spouses. Wives often encourage their husbands to eat healthier, avoid smoking, limit alcohol consumption, and exercise regularly. This kind of positive reinforcement and mutual support can lead to better overall health.
   2. Routine Health Monitoring: Married men are also more likely to attend regular check-ups with their doctors and adhere to medical advice. Having a partner who can remind and encourage them to prioritize health screenings and medical appointments is a significant advantage.
   3. Lower Stress Levels: Men in stable, happy marriages tend to experience lower stress levels. Marriage provides a social support system that helps men cope better with life’s challenges, reducing their exposure to stress-related illnesses. Lower stress can lead to a healthier immune system and a lower risk of cardiovascular disease.
2. Better Mental Health: In addition to physical health, marriage has a notable effect on men’s mental well-being. Married men are less likely to experience severe mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. This can be attributed to several factors. But here are just a few of them:
   1. Emotional Support: Men often find emotional stability within a marriage. The companionship and emotional security that come from a loving partner can protect men from feelings of loneliness, which are known to contribute to depression.
   2. Sense of Purpose: Marriage provides men with a sense of responsibility and purpose. Many men feel motivated by their role as a provider, protector, or partner, which can lead to increased self-worth and mental satisfaction. Being part of a committed relationship encourages men to think beyond their personal needs and focus on their family’s well-being.
   3. Buffer Against Loneliness: Marriage offers men a protective shield against social isolation, which is a known contributor to mental health problems, especially in older age. Having a life partner ensures that men have someone to share their experiences, joys, and sorrows with, which reduces the risk of loneliness-induced mental health issues.

 3. Lower Risk of Harmful Behaviors

Married men are also less likely to engage in risky or harmful behaviors, such as excessive drinking, drug use, or reckless activities. Being in a committed relationship fosters responsibility and accountability. So, yes. Indeed, men behave better because they don’t want their wives to get mad at them but they also avoid dangerous behaviors because they have a sense of responsibility toward their spouse and family.

How Marriage Impacts Women’s Health

 1. Enhanced Emotional Well-Being

While marriage benefits both men and women, the advantages often manifest differently in women. For women, the emotional and psychological benefits of marriage are particularly more pronounced.

1. Emotional Security: Marriage provides women with emotional stability and security, helping to buffer against feelings of loneliness, depression, or anxiety. Having a partner to rely on for emotional support can help women feel less vulnerable during challenging times. Research shows that women report higher emotional stability than their single or divorced counterparts.
2. Social Integration: Women tend to benefit from the social integration that marriage provides. Women in committed marriages are often more socially engaged, with stronger ties to family, friends, and the community. This social support network helps improve emotional well-being and provides a safety net during times of stress.
3. Improved Mental Health: Studies show that married women report lower levels of depression and anxiety compared to their unmarried counterparts. Research shows this is partly due to the emotional support system that marriage creates for women. Also, when a woman has a partner who listens, understands, and validates her feelings, her mental health improves. So it’s not just being married that makes these changes. It’s also about marrying someone who is emotionally available.

 2. Physical Health Benefits

Women, like men, enjoy improved physical health through marriage. However, the mechanisms behind these benefits are slightly different.

1. Healthier Lifestyles: Just as women tend to encourage healthier behaviors in men, husbands often play a similar role for women. Married women are more likely to adopt healthier habits, such as exercising regularly, eating nutritious meals, and avoiding unhealthy behaviors like smoking.
2. Access to Healthcare: Married women often experience greater access to healthcare due to shared financial resources or health insurance benefits that come with marriage. This means they are more likely to undergo preventive health screenings, seek medical advice, and address health concerns early, leading to better long-term outcomes.
3. Lower Risk of Certain Diseases: Studies suggest that married women have a lower risk of developing conditions such as heart disease and high blood pressure. Additionally, married women tend to recover more quickly from illnesses or surgeries, as they have the support and care of their spouses.

 3. Longevity and Life Satisfaction

Marriage has also been shown to enhance women’s overall life satisfaction and longevity.

1. Increased Life Expectancy: Although marriage generally increases life expectancy for both men and women, the reasons are somewhat different for each gender. For women, emotional satisfaction and a sense of belonging within the marriage contribute to their longer lives. The emotional well-being derived from a stable marriage leads to reduced stress and better overall health.
2. Improved Quality of Life: Married women tend to report higher levels of happiness and life satisfaction compared to unmarried women. Having a supportive partner to share life’s joys and challenges with enhances emotional fulfillment and contributes to a higher quality of life.

 Challenges and Considerations

While marriage offers significant health benefits, it’s important to recognize that these benefits are most pronounced in healthy, supportive marriages. Unhealthy or abusive relationships can have the opposite effect, leading to increased stress, anxiety, and physical health problems for both men and women.

Additionally, societal expectations and cultural differences can impact the perceived benefits of marriage. For example, in cultures where women are expected to take on a greater burden of household responsibilities, the stress associated with these expectations can outweigh the health benefits of marriage. Similarly, men who feel trapped in traditional roles may experience frustration or resentment that can lead to poor mental health outcomes.

Marriage offers a wide array of health benefits, from improved physical well-being to enhanced mental and emotional stability. But it’s not just the simple act of being married. Otherwise, you could marry a couch and get the same benefits. These benefits also come when you’re married to someone you’re reasonably happy with. If you’re finding yourself in a situation where you’re not reasonably happy with your partner, give us a call and book an appointment with one of our marriage counselors. We’ll be happy to help you and your spouse get back to feeling great again so you can get all the health benefits you’re reading about here.