A healthy marriage contributes to good health

According to Harvard Health Publishing, a recent study of 25,000 people in England found that among people having a heart attack, those who were married were 14 percent more likely to survive and leave the hospital two days sooner than their single counterparts.

Given the growing body of evidence linking marriage with better health, it's worth asking why such a connection might exist.

Several researchers have explored relationships and good health, and studies have found that people in happy relationships have stronger immune functions than those who are not.

And cortisol tends to be released in lower amounts in married people as compared with those who are single.

That may be important because cortisol levels tend to reflect levels of stress, and high cortisol levels can impair immune function.

What's a healthy marriage? It means a husband and a wife take time to create meaningful moments and a positive attitude; they learn to sort out issues with a more positive approach; they talk to each other nicely and stay committed to each other all the way, even during tough times.

In a healthy marriage, couples respect each other and enjoy each other's company. Unhealthy marital relationships hurt our health.

It enhances healthy emotions: Everyone wants to feel emotionally safe with the person they've chosen to spend their life with. But security in a relationship doesn't just happen. It's something both partners have to consciously work on cultivating, whether they've just started dating or have been together for years.

A healthy marriage is one in which both members of the couple feel safe.

It is only when there is a foundation of safety that individuals as well as couples can grow and mature.

With it comes the intimacy that is only possible when people feel secure enough to be vulnerable. Without it, any conflict threatens the entire relationship.

Couples can then cultivate emotional health together. Whether you're helping your spouse overcome anxious feelings or working to boost one another's self-esteem, the two of you can work together to improve your emotional health.

A healthy marriage, a healthy body: The researchers found that happier marriages were related to better health outcomes, including fewer hospitalisations, fewer severe diseases, and less physical pain. Our bodies are designed to thrive in a healthy relationship.

Stable, supportive relationships are incredibly powerful. Research shows that high marital quality is associated with lower blood pressure, lower stress, less depression, and higher satisfaction with life.

In conclusion, we're having a healthy marriage when kind deeds outweigh criticism, when we respond non-defensively and stick together when the going gets tough, and when we manage well our disagreements and conflicts.

This will make us healthy individuals and healthy spouses! Therefore, I can boldly say that love is good for our health.