When you said “I do” at the wedding chapel, I bet you weren’t thinking about how your marriage would affect your weight! Research has shown that a happy marriage can have quite a few health benefits, including longevity, cardiovascular health, and weight loss. However, the key to unlocking these treasures lies in the word “happy”. Marriages are hard work, but with health as one of the benefits, you may want to work a bit harder at maintaining a successful partnership. In fact, a positive, healthy marriage or marriage-like relationship has actually been documented as both a physical and mental asset.
Married couples were once thought to be at a disadvantage when it came to weight loss. A few studies have even shown a connection between marriage and packing on the pounds, especially for newly-weds. It’s suggested that married couples become more laid back about their appearance and weight since they no longer need to worry about finding a mate. Thankfully, though, for happy couples, a healthy marriage has now actually been linked to a lower risk of weight gain and obesity during middle age. Moreover, as you age, your values and health are prioritized over physical appearance.
A study conducted at Harvard University looked at 2 650 middle-aged people, either married or in a marriage-like relationship, and measured the quality of their partnership based on the level of marital strain or marital support. They also tracked the weight gain of each couple over a period of nine years. The results conclusively showed that healthy marriages are linked to less weight gain over time. In fact, as the quality of a marriage increases, the risk of obesity is lowered by 10% and as the level of marital support increases, risk of obesity decreases by 22%.
A consistent pattern among most partners is that they offer encouragement to each other in pursuing healthy behavior, as well as discouraging destructive habits. Of course, this isn’t the case for every relationship, but for the vast majority of healthy marriages, it holds true. A number of limitations of the study must be mentioned. Over time, some of the middle-aged couples observed in the study may have learned to cope with negative marital experiences. It should also be noted that many people in stressed-out marriages end up divorcing early on and were not eligible to participate in the study.
As it turns out, there a number of additional benefits to maintaining a healthy marriage apart from keeping a healthy weight and warding off obesity.
A healthy marriage isn’t a perfect marriage. It’s a marriage in which both parties mutually commit to a beneficial relationship. A partnership is formed between two people who help each other through life's ups and downs. Because, as we all know, life is full of up and downs, having a reliable companion beside you to deal with whatever situations life throws at you can be very helpful. For most couples, however, having a successful and happy marriage doesn’t come easily and takes a conscious effort by both parties. Here are some methods that seem to work for keeping a team of two together:
Be willing to seek advice about your relationship. Whether you speak to a professional or trusted friend, it’s important to talk about relationship troubles with those who may have had similar previous experiences or understand what you’re going through. Empathy from others can often put things into a different perspective and therapy can be extremely beneficial for couples facing relationship troubles.
We’ve learned how unhealthy relationships can affect your health, but for those suffering from Adrenal Fatigue (AF), it could be a matter of life or death. The primary reason Adrenal Fatigue surfaces is due to stressful conditions like being in an unhappy marriage. Adrenal Fatigue may cause such intense symptoms that your quality of life is quickly diminished and you don’t even enough strength to get out of bed. However, Adrenal Fatigue could also be viewed as one of the greatest wake-up calls, causing you to refocus on what is truly important in life such as happy relationships, peace, and love. Adrenal Fatigue often pushes people towards living on a deeper level and may become the starting point for living a more purposeful life or addressing an area of your life that may be out of alignment.
By studying the NeuroEndoMetabolic (NEM) stress response system, we can obtain a better understanding of how all the systems of the body are connected. When your body is over-stressed and unable to calibrate or properly deal with the stressors you encounter, adverse reactions begin to manifest leading to inflammation, hormone imbalances, and many other symptoms. Stress can affect every part of your body.
Staying positive and happy is a given right as a human being. In fact, if for any reason your life isn’t going as planned, even due to illness, you shouldn’t feel bad about it. Instead, take measures to ensure your happiness and the happiness of your marriage and this will roll over into a more positive life.
Achieving a healthy weight isn't just about diet and exercise; it's also about the emotional and relational aspects of your life. A strong, supportive marriage can be a cornerstone of your journey to better health. When you and your partner work together toward shared wellness goals, you create a positive environment that fosters lasting change.
Ready to take the first step toward a healthier, happier life together? Give us a call at +1 (626) 571-1234 for a free initial consultation. Let's build a healthy marriage and a healthy weight, one step at a time!
© Copyright 2018 Michael Lam, M.D. All Rights Reserved.
Once upon a time, saying “I do” at the altar was linked to weight gain. Now, however, a healthy marriage has been positively correlated to numerous health benefits, including maintaining a healthy weight as you age.
