Married people are less likely to have dementia, discover new studies - there are 4 other health benefits

Experts say that the partnership has physical and mental advantages.


Marriage is something that you could look forward to as a milestone, especially when you know that you have found the person with whom you want to share your life. But apart from the big celebration, the honeymoon and the following " conjugal happiness "Did you know that marriage is accompanied by important health benefits? A new study published in November 2022 in the Journal of aging and health concluded that being married in fact reduce the risk of dementia .

"There is a correlation between getting married in quarantine and a lower risk of dementia as Old person , "Author of the main study Vegetarian skirbekk , said in a press release from the Ministry of Physical Health and Aging and the Center for Fertility and Health at the Norwegian Public Health Institute (NIPH). The researchers evaluated the data of 8,706 middle age participants, with 11.6% dementia and 35.3% developing a light cognitive impairment (MCI) after 70 years. It is interesting to note that in this sample, the chances of the participants were diagnosed with one or the other condition were lower than those who were single or divorced.

There are many potential reasons for this correlation, according to researchers, including the social aspect. "In several studies, it has been shown that social isolation is linked to an increased risk of dementia," said Skirbekk, adding that previous studies have identified marriage as a protective factor for men, but it was "everything also important for men and women "in this study. Other possible reasons included inolted in unmarried people - such as children "seem to be important" with regard to the risk of dementia - or the increase in stress associated with divorce.

A lower chance of developing dementia can be a sufficient reason to make the node (and keep it equally), but our experts highlight even more advantages related to marriage. Read more to discover the four main advantages of married bliss.

Read this then: Scientists have just found a surprising link between grocery store and dementia .

1
Less stress

couple providing emotional support
Dragana Gordic / Shutterstock

Stress is a A part of life , and we all feel it to a certain extent, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). But like Angela Sitka , Lmft with a private practice in Santa Rosa, California, tells Better life , Marriage can help keep this stress under control.

"Research shows that marriage can offer many psychological protective advantages - one can possibly reduce the production of stress hormones like cortisol," said Sitka, pointing to a 2010 study Posted in the journal Stress . "According to research, faced with a Situation inducing stress , married people produce less cortisol compared to their single counterparts. ""

Sitka points to potential reasons for this, namely what your partner can provide you. "Having a permanent company with a spouse who can provide emotional development, interpersonal intimacy and constant support to deal with the stressors of daily life can be a powerful antidote for the challenges filled with stress that we are faced with everything long of our life, "she said.

Sitka adds that this might not be universal, because research cannot confirm that marriage "has a direct impact on stress levels, or if other factors come into play." But the concept is logical only when the Life is full of stressful situations, having a permanent partner by your side to guide you in difficult times would make us feel less isolated and more able to cope, which could undoubtedly reduce our stress levels, "she says.

Joni Ogle , Lcsw, csat, Approved clinical social worker And the CEO of height treatment also highlights lower cortisol levels as an advantage. "Married couples experience lower quantities of cortisol , or the stress hormone, compared to singles, "she explains." Increased levels of cortisol can hinder the body's capacity to regulate inflammation and can cause the progression of many diseases such as diabetes and heart disease. ""

2
Mental health improvement

happy older couple laughing
Whyframe / Shutterstock

The reduction in stress is certainly useful for your state of mind, but experts say that marriage can improve your head space in general. AE0FCC31AE342FD3A1346EBB1F342FCB

"Because social support is an incredibly important element in maintaining mental health, being married and having a source of support can reduce feelings of isolation", " Beth Ribarsky , PHD, professor of Interpersonal communication At the University of Illinois Springfield, says Better life . She notes that it is important that it comes from a healthy marriage, because a "troubled relationship" can actually lead to aggravation of mental and physical health.

Clinical psychologist Carla Marie Manly , PHD, discusses the mental health of Married couples , too, what she observes in patients.

"In my clinical office, I certainly noted that partners in unsatisfactory or high conflict relationships tend to have more physical and mental health complaints compared to generally well -adjusted couples who are witnessing therapy for" 'Interview, "she explains." Happy bride and grooms tend to engage with each other more emotionally and mentally, which are associated with positive mental health. "

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3
Improved physical health

couple walking dog together
4 p.m. Production / Shutterstock

Because married couples often have better mental health, it often leads to better physical health, says Ogle.

Although not all studies agree on these physical advantages of marriage, according to Manly, married couples are more active, and therefore more physically (and mentally). "I have found that happy married couples tend to be more physically active - who often engage in shared hobs or joint tasks; this is beneficial because increased activity is associated with better mental and physical health "She adds.

In a 2016 blog article for Harvard Health Publishing, Robert H. Shmerling , MD, editor -in -chief of the faculty, discussed the health benefits associated with marriage, stressing that married people make better behavioral choices with regard to their physical health .

"Married people can take less risks, eat better and maintain healthier lifestyles, on average, compared to singles," wrote Shmerling. "There is also evidence that married people tend to keep regular appointments and follow the recommendations of doctors more often than singles."

4
Increased longevity

older couple sitting at table together
BBBERNARD / Shutterstock

Overall, research suggests that married people are simply living longer. Sitka points to healthier lifestyle as the reduction in smoking rates and alcohol consumption, and less commitment to "risky behavior".

"The motivation to engage in healthy habits could be the result of increased responsibility towards another person in a life partnership," notes Sitka, citing a 2020 study on life expectancy and the matrimonial state. "Married couples have a common interest in encouraging each other in engaging with healthy habits and behaviors because they rely on each other, emotionally and physically. To have invested in your long -term health because They are directly affected by these habits could encourage a healthy lifestyle, even in times when you don't want to do it for yourself. "

Shmerling stressed that research showing that married people have fewer cerebral accidents and more often survive major operations than singles - and they also survive cancer for longer relays.

The data presented at the British Cardiovascular Society Conference in 2016 also suggested being married to deal with your chances of Survive a heart attack and shorten the length of a hospital stay. However, similar to the point of Sitka on the study in Stress , Shmerling explains that this is an association - which means that you cannot explicitly say that the lowest risk is due to marriage. The severity of the heart attack and pre -existing health conditions must be taken into account.


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