If you’ve been considering ditching your partner, or are
just feeling a little harassed by love, check out some of these relationship
perks which might just remind you that being in love can be good for your
health.
Love keeps us
young
We all know that being in love and making love are two very
different scenarios and apparently so does Mother Nature. Being in love is
often very trying and can age us; however, research suggests that making love
keeps us young. A study conducted by researchers at the Royal Edinburgh
Hospital in Scotland found that those women who have sex four or more times a
week look 10 years younger than their actual age. Consultant neuropsychologist
Dr David Weeks said that loving couples not only look after their bodies more,
but that they also benefit from the physical and emotional effects of sex.
Love improves our
mental health
Love has many physical benefits, but it would seem that men
and women who are in a relationship get lots of mental health benefits too. In
New Zealand a team at the University of Otago examined 1000 people. They found
that people who had been in a relationship for longer than five years were less
likely to be depressed and attempt suicide. Other studies have found similar
findings, stating that married people report lower levels of depression and
distress. Apparently married men are also half as likely to commit suicide as
single men, and one third as likely as divorced men. Perhaps the phrase “you’re
driving me crazy” should no longer be used in reference to your partner?
Is love good for women, bad for men?
When you think of a married man, do you think of the grumpy,
beaten-down stereotype? If you do, then don’t worry, apparently there’s some
truth behind this well-worn notion. The English Longitudinal Study of Ageing
found that women report a higher quality of life when they are in a
relationship, but their husbands or partners report having a significantly
lower quality of life. However, although it is possible that relationships
fulfill the needs of women more than men, compared to single people, those in a
relationship are still happier overall. In a separate study 40 per cent of
married couples said they were happy, compared to only 25 per cent of single
people.
Love heals the
heart
Perhaps it’s no coincidence that love is often depicted
using a heart shape. A recent study by researchers at the University of
Rochester in New York found that those in a happy relationship are three times
more likely to survive heart surgery. The researchers reported that a
good marriage can be as beneficial to the heart as quitting smoking, staying at
a healthy weight and reducing high blood pressure. Similar findings were found
by those at the University of North Carolina and a study in Human Communication
Research. They both found that being in love and expressing your emotions
had a positive impact on cholesterol.
Love gives us
more birthdays
Sadly, being in love does not mean you get to have more than
one birthday a year. However, it does mean that you get to see more of them.
The mortality rates for single males aged between 30 and 59 are two and half
times higher than their non-single counterparts! Don’t gloat too much though
girls. Single women also face a 23 percent higher mortality rate than those who
are married. Researchers suggest that this difference in longevity is due to
the fact that most single people have poorer health benefits, a lower income
and are socially isolated. Being supported and connected to others is an
essential part of keeping healthy.
