Do Married Couples Live Longer?

The key to a longer life has always been to eat healthy and exercise.  But there are some studies that suggest a surprising addition to the list: getting married.

But is getting hitched really the answer to longer life? Let’s take a look at the benefits of marriage.

Getting married means finding a life partner. They are there to support you.  Having that emotional and physical support has many benefits, particularly as you age.

A spouse can help:

• Remind you to take your meds.
• Take you to the doctor.
• Detect cancer early.
• Be around in case you fall and hurt yourself.
• Help you recover from illness.
• Help you cope with chronic disease.
• Support you emotionally.

What about when your partner can’t be around? At Alert1 we recommend having a backup support system, whether you are married or not. We offer you protection around the clock with a medicalalert system. Even if hubby is out of the house and you fall, just press the button and someone will be there for you immediately. 

We tend to adopt the habits of the people we are around. That especially holds true for healthy habits, including quitting smoking and exercising more. The health benefits of marriage can even survive the marriage itself – healthy habits will stick even if your partner isn’t around to bug you.

The quality of the marriage greatly determines how closely it can be tied to longevity.

According to Time Magazine, a study conducted at Ohio State University shows that couples who are aggressive towards each other have “higher levels of stress hormones in their blood, less adaptive immune systems and slower metabolic rates after eating high-fat meals.”  And the opposite is true. A happy marriage decreases stress and increases happiness. It is a well-known fact that long-term stress has a direct negative impact on how long you live.

So there is an actual physical impact from the way people treat each other. What this means is that any longevity effect of marriage only applies to happily married couples. People in a hostile marriage may have increased aging effects and live shorter lives.

It seems men benefit the most from marriage. Men are much more likely to rely on their spouse for support than women. Women usually have good friend they call when they are upset. Men do not go to their friends for support; they more often turn to their spouse.

Married men tend to eat better, drink less, and exercise more. These are all factors that lead to longer lives. Married men even have a smaller risk of Alzheimer’s and cardiovascular disease.

A spouse is not the only thing tied to longevity. A good friend can help you live longer as well. Strong social connections are important factors in healthy aging. Feeling lonely or isolated can make you age faster by lowering your general well-being. Social connections, such as marriage, have a direct impact on your physical and mental health. So get out there a spend time with your friends!

So, should we all rush out and get married? Only if you find someone you will have a happy marriage with. If you are in a stressful marriage, this will not be beneficial to your health at all. It may actually have the opposite effect of damaging your health and well-being.

Don’t fret if you haven’t found the right person yet. Keep strong connections with friends and you will reap health benefits this way. Marriage and friendship is all about having strong social connections. That is a key to living a longer and healthier life. 

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