Love is a powerful thing that keeps people together. Being in a relationship does not only make someone happy, but healthy too. Research can attest to the numerous studies that show the myriad of health benefits being in a relationship holds.
This Valentine's Day, the health benefits of affectionate love and being in a relationship has been revealed by WebMD. Love has many surprising health benefits that can help both your mind and body.
Harry Reis, PhD, co-editor of the Encyclopedia of Human Relationships, said, "There's no evidence that the intense, passionate stage of a new romance is beneficial to health. People who fall in love say it feels wonderful and agonizing at the same time." All those ups and downs can be a source of stress."
One of the health benefits of love is it incurs fewer doctor visits. According to the Health and Health Services Department, one report says that married people have fewer doctors' visits and shorter period of hospital stays. Furthermore, someone beside you as a partner may influence you on living a healthy lifestyle that is why there are fewer chances of illnesses.
Also, being in a relationship combats depression and substance abuse. In fact, the Health and Human Services report says that getting married reduces depression in both men and women. This can be rooted to having someone to talk to and confide to. Also, social isolation promotes depression. Aside from that, marriage has widely contributed to the decline in heavy drinking and drug abuse.
Marriage and being in a relationship also contribute to having a lower blood pressure. A study in the Annals of Behavioral Medicine, researchers found out that married people, those who are in happy marriages have good blood pressure compared to those who are single. Reis explained this finding, "It's marital quality and not the fact of marriage that makes a difference."
Other health benefits include less anxiety, promotes pain control, better stress management, fewer colds, faster healing and recuperation, longer life and happier life. Nurturing the relationship is vital to preserve not only the integrity of the mind but also, the body.
