The Surprising Secret to a Longer Life: Get Married!

Is getting married the key to living a longer life? There is much evidence to suggest that it is. Recent studies have found that married men and women tend to live longer than their unmarried counterparts. However, the effects may be greater for men than for women. In this blog post, we will explore the potential benefits of marriage for both men and women and uncover a surprising secret to a longer life: get married!

The Evidence

It’s no secret that marriage can bring countless benefits to your life, and now research suggests that it may even help you live longer. According to recent data,

“Married men in 2017 had an age-adjusted death rate of 943 per 100,000, compared to 2,239 for widowers. The death rate was 1,735 per 100,000 for lifelong bachelors and 1,773 for divorced men.”

Married women had a death rate of 569 per 100,000, two-and-a-half times lower than the 1,482 rate for widows. The death rate was 1,096 for divorcees and 1,166 for never-married women.”

https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/news/20191010/marriage-tied-to-longer-life-span-new-data-shows#:~:text=Married%20women%20had%20a%20death,1%2C166%20for%20never%2Dmarried%20women.

The researchers found that married couples overall had a lower mortality risk than unmarried couples. They attributed this to several factors, including a stronger support system, a healthier lifestyle, and greater access to resources like healthcare. Married couples also tend to be more financially secure and have fewer mental health issues than unmarried couples.

The data suggests that marriage may be an essential factor in maintaining good health and longevity in life. While more research is needed to confirm these findings, the current evidence supports the notion that marriage has a positive impact on our physical and mental well-being.

How Marriage Affects Men

Marriage has been shown to have several positive effects on men. Studies have found that married men have longer lifespans than unmarried men and are less likely to die from heart disease or any other medical condition. Additionally, marriage has been linked to better mental and emotional health in men, with married men being more likely to report being happy than single men.

And it’s not just a physical and mental benefit – studies show that married men also experience more pleasure in the bedroom. On average, married couples report more sexual satisfaction and more frequent sex than unmarried couples. So for those looking for a little extra sensuality in their lives, tying the knot could be the answer!

How Marriage Affects Women

Women who are married tend to live longer than their single counterparts. A 2019 study in the journal Circulation found that married women were 8% less likely to die over a period of 11 years than unmarried women, while married men were only 4% less likely to die than unmarried men.

Besides living longer, marriage has other positive effects on women’s health. Married women have lower levels of stress hormones and a reduced risk of depression, which can help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and other health conditions. Additionally, married women have better access to social and emotional support, which can help them manage chronic health issues more effectively.

On a lighter note, marriage may also benefit a woman’s sex life! Studies have shown that married women are more satisfied with their sex lives than single women and that married couples have more active sex lives than unmarried couples. So, if you’re looking to spice things up in the bedroom, getting married (again) could be the answer.

Other Benefits of Marriage

In addition to the potential for a longer life, marriage can bring many other benefits to both men and women. Studies show that married couples report higher levels of satisfaction with their lives overall and are better able to cope with life’s stresses and hardships. Married couples are also more likely to have improved mental health, and married men, in particular, experience lower levels of depression than their unmarried peers.

Married couples also tend to have higher incomes and better job stability, and married women enjoy greater financial security than those who are single or cohabitating. In addition, research has found that married couples often have better physical health as well. All these benefits can add up to a healthier, happier life for those in committed relationships.

So while it may be too soon to say that marriage leads to longer lives definitively, there is certainly evidence that it can lead to many other positive outcomes. With all the potential benefits of marriage, it may be worth considering if this institution could be the key to living a longer, fuller life for you.–MM

References:

https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_briefs/RB5018.html