Posted by Jack
The results of the most recenty says: Men and women in happy marriages scored four points lower on the 24-hour blood pressure test than did single adults. Having a network of supportive friends did not translate into improved blood pressure for singles or unhappily marrieds, which surprised Holt-Lunstad and her two student collaborators, Wendy Birmingham and Brandon Jones. The study also found, unsurprisingly, that unhappily married adults have higher blood pressure than both happily married and single adults.
“There seem to be some unique health benefits from marriage,” said Holt-Lunstad. “It’s not just being married that benefits health. What’s really the most protective of health is having a happy marriage.”
With the monitors recording blood pressure both day and night, the researchers could see that blood pressure for married adults–especially those who were happily married–dipped more during sleep than happens with singles. “Research has shown that people whose blood pressure remains high throughout the night are at much greater risk of cardiovascular problems than people whose blood pressure dips,” Holt-Lunstad said.
Why does a happy marriage make us healthier? Spouses can promote healthy habits, such as encouraging each other to see a doctor and to eat healthy foods. The marriage relationship is also a source of emotional support in good and bad times. Sharing good news, for example, generates positive emotions, which in turn boosts the body’s functioning.
The study findings were published in the Annals of Behavioral Medicine.