Marriage Is Healthy

Marriage is Healthy

Marriage is an institution that can produce great rewards. When the love struck groom-to-be got down on one knee and looked up lovingly into the face of the intended bride, a bet can be made that being married and living "healthfully" ever after was not even a consideration. It has been proven that love helps promote a healthy immune system. Being single, however, does not mean that there is more risk of illness. Many single people go through life being completely satisfied and reaping no ill effects. It has been said on numerous talk shows and stated in many magazine articles that marriage, overall, instigates a more satisfying relationship. Stephanie Coontz (2005) noticed, "In the 18th century, people began to adopt the radical new idea that love should be the most fundamental reason for marriage, and that young people should be free to choose their marriage partners on that basis. The sentimentalization of the love-based marriage in the 19th century and its sexualization in the 20th each represented a logical step in the evolution of that new approach." (pp. B7-B10). Marriage is not the end of all ills, but a good marriage has been proven to show a marked decrease in blood pressure and other bodily ailments.

A marriage, in general, should incorporate communication, trust, bonding and companionship. These are all elements that develop over time to solidify the relationship, and also help to create a healthier body. While women reap benefits from a good marriage, men reap more benefits. Men typically do not talk about their problems with or to other men, keeping this information held within themselves with no outlet. Whereas women, usually have a circle of friends with whom they can vent to and talk about anything and everything. This is where good communication with your partner can be very important. If there is to be a discussion regarding any problems, one approach would be to wait an interval to calm down and regroup, if necessary, before starting a conversation. This would help to try and avoid saying something that can not be taken back. There could also be time set aside weekly, such as a date night, to be able to go somewhere and sit down to talk about what has been going on in the past week. Allen Parkman (2005) said, "couples can exchange need-to-know information in the time it takes to drink half a bottle of wine with dinner. In a good marriage, the second half of the bottle is a giftÐ'...Memo to the man who wants to stay married: Listen to the very last drop." (p. 109).

Meanwhile, a good marriage offers a feeling of well-being and contentment. This leads to feeling good about oneself, which encourages other activities that in and of itself are healthy. Such as a couple taking a walk together. Everyone has heard that a brisk walk affords so many health benefits. This stroll together is beneficial in the fact that it is good for you, promotes companionship and contentment, and offers another way to connect and bring the couple closer. An interesting outcome regarding a good marriage could be that marriage would be considered in the same league as an exercise plan or a diet plan. The rewards would be the obviously leaner, lighter and healthier body derived from each.

Furthermore, partners in a good marriage that is fairly free from stress, and are having regular sex and exchange hugs, can reap a health benefit such as lower blood pressure. Joan Borysenko (2004) had this to say about sex, " Regular sex, another proven benefit of marriage, boosts immunity, diminishes pain, and burns calories." (p. 95). This is partly due to the hormones and/or endorphins produced from feeling good in the relationship and about themselves. As mentioned earlier, talk shows and magazine articles have stated that there have been numerous studies done that indicate it is not the amount of sex that a couple has on a weekly basis, and that having more sex is not necessarily better. While sex is a very important ingredient in a marriage, it is the overall feeling of satisfaction in the relationship, combined with communication and bonding, that healthy benefits are achieved.

Moreover, women who are not in happy marriages are the most at risk. Further indications show that women who say their marriages are very satisfying, have better heart health, healthier lifestyles, and fewer emotional problems than those in an unsatisfying marriage. It seems that the getting married part is not as important as getting the quality partner who will offer the fit required for a healthier lifestyle. Sarah Mahoney (2006) states, "women in good marriages have a much lower risk of cardiovascular disease than those in high-stress