Advantages for Health Exist When Marrying, Regardless of Age

Marriage, it seems, is more than just a union of two hearts. According to numerous studies, it's a powerful factor in promoting both physical and mental well-being.

Married people are half as likely to experience cardiovascular disease and related outcomes such as heart attack and stroke. This could be due to the encouragement and support that married couples provide each other in maintaining healthy habits, such as eating well, exercising regularly, and avoiding unhealthy vices like smoking.

The benefits of being in a loving, committed marriage in mid-to-later life can be as profound as the marriages of people who wed much earlier. Married couples have lower cancer risk and are more likely to survive if they do get cancer. This could be due to the emotional support and practical help that a spouse provides during difficult times.

Marriage also has a positive impact on mental health. Married people have fewer rates of depression and better outcomes when depression occurs. They also have better self-esteem, greater life purpose, a heightened sense of belonging, and are significantly likelier to be happier than their single counterparts.

Physical touch, companionship, and frequent expressions of love release feel-good hormones like dopamine and oxytocin in married couples, contributing to their overall happiness and well-being.

Marriage also brings about mental and physical health benefits, including living longer. Married people are less likely to pick up bad habits like excessive television watching, and more likely to establish good habits like eating healthy, exercising, and taking part in preventative care.

Financial security, a direct connection between having financial assets and access to health care, is another advantage of marriage. Pooled income in marriage can contribute to more financial security, making it easier for couples to afford regular check-ups, medication, and other health-related expenses.

Married couples are also less likely to experience loneliness, a well-established risk factor for cardiovascular disease and mortality. Older couples can help each other through times when preventative screenings are more important, hospital care is more likely, and musculoskeletal strength begins to decline, keeping each other stronger and more active.

People in committed relationships, whether married or not, have been shown to recover faster from illnesses, cancer treatments, and surgery due to emotional and practical support from a partner. This support can significantly improve the overall prognosis for those facing serious health challenges.

Recent research shows that couples who live together and share responsibilities similar to married couples often benefit in similar ways, even though married couples report higher levels of relationship satisfaction. This suggests that the benefits of a committed relationship extend beyond the legal bond of marriage.

However, it's important to note that the benefits of marriage are not gender-neutral. Married men experience better physical health outcomes than married women, such as improved heart failure prognosis. Unmarried women, on the other hand, are at a significantly higher risk of death from pregnancy-related conditions due to often having less familial support and assistance in obtaining adequate healthcare and being likelier to have more stress associated with managing childcare alone.

In the world of reality television, shows often showcase the drama, anticipation, and excitement of the early stages of a relationship. However, they do not typically explore what happens after a couple says 'I do.' The 61-year-old woman waiting for 24 men in the latest appearance of the show 'The Golden Bachelorette,' named Jennifer Saro, and the 61-year-old woman among the eligible contestants on the recent premiere of The Golden Bachelorette, Joan Vassos, are examples of individuals who have chosen to seek love and companionship later in life.

In conclusion, marriage offers advantages such as improved medical treatment outcomes and higher levels of happiness. Whether it's the emotional support, practical help, or the shared financial security, marriage can significantly improve one's quality of life and longevity.