Nov 23, 2011
I do. Those two words make many grown men shudder. If you’re one of those guys, let me ask you this: Do you want to live a longer, happier, healthier life?You do? Great! Then you should know that the research is clear: Getting married is one of the best investments you can make in your overall health.
Consider this recent study in BMC Public Health: Researchers looked at data from more than 400,000 Norwegian patients recorded over nearly 40 years. Never-married men had a 35 percent greater chance of dying from cancer than married guys. The odds were 10 percent greater for widowed men and 16 percent greater for divorced men.
Why are single guys more at risk? They may not take care of themselves as well before their cancer diagnosis, says study author Hakon Kradval, so they’re already starting treatment behind the 8-ball. Plus, bachelors may have trouble keeping up with today’s extraordinarily complicated cancer treatment regimens—something a spouse can help with, but drinking buddies can not.
Frankly, the finding didn’t surprise me. I’ve been following marriage research for years here at Men’s Health, and it's been fairly unanimous: Marriage is good for you. In fact, a wife can also . . .
Reduce Your Stress
Stress increases your risk of a heart attack by 66 percent, diabetes by 20 percent, and stroke by 14 percent. Close relationships are one of the best buffers. And since married guys have social interaction waiting for them at home, they naturally get more stress relief than single men. “When you’re single,” says David Roelfs, assistant professor of sociology and the University of Louisville, “you’re more likely to just go home and stew over it alone.”
Stuff Your WalletA Virginia Commonwealth University study found that married men earn 22 percent more than their similarly experienced single colleagues. That’s because married men receive higher performance ratings and faster promotions than bachelors. One big reason: They’re more focused and motivated to provide for their spouses and kids. Because of their long-term focus, they also learn—quickly—the right and wrong ways to handle their money. (Here are the right ways: 7 Money Tricks Rich Guys Know.)
Stop Your Heart Attack
A recent Canadian study found that married men were 7 percent more likely than single men to go to a hospital within six hours of experiencing heart attack symptoms. Why? Their wives insisted. Her persistence also has daily health benefits. “You eat better,” says Roelfs.“When you’re single there is no one to stop you from eating a frozen microwave pizza three nights in a row.”
Keep You Out of Trouble
According to a recent U.S. Department of Justice report, male victims of violent crime are nearly four times more likely to be single than married.
Add Years to Your LifeA study published in the American Journal of Epidemiologyshowed that single men are 32 percent more likely to die in any given year than married men. What’s more, single guys in their 30s are more than twice as likely (128 percent) to die as those who’ve gotten hitched.
And, no, living together doesn’t offer the same benefits. Several studies have shown that live-in couples have better mental and physical health than single guys and girls, but not as good as those who are married. Roelfs says that because live-in relationships lack a legal framework and are easier to end, the bond just isn’t as strong. Also, live-in relationships often don’t last long enough to have a positive effect on health.
There’s one more elephant in the room I should address: British researchers reviewed the sexual habits of men in 38 countries and found that in every single country, married men have more sex. And, yes, that includes the United States.
http://health.yahoo.net/experts/menshealth/1-health-tip-men
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