6 Benefits of Marriage You Might Not Expect

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Married couple

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Laura Berlinsky-Schine
Laura Berlinsky-Schine
There are many benefits of marriage. You're probably familiar with some of them. Married couples enjoy companionship, for one. On the practical side, there are numerous legal spousal benefits. Married people may be entitled to their spouse's social security benefits if they become widowed, receive the deceased spouse's pension and IRA, make tax-free gifts to their spouse, and save money on health insurance, as well as receive many other financial benefits. Other spousal benefits include the ability to act as next of kin and make decisions on their behalf if your partner is in the hospital and not able to make important legal or medical decisions while incapacitated.
But there are also many other benefits of marriage that you wouldn't necessary expect. Read on for six advantages married people have.
1. Marriage contributes to your health and well-being.
According to researchers in Finland, both men and women are less likely to suffer heart attacks if they're married than single people are. Married men also have a lower risk of dying from a stroke and a higher chance of surviving surgery.
Overall, married people tend to live longer than single people. According to a study conducted by Dr. Ilene Siegler and her team at Duke University Medical Center in 1940, single people who had never married were more than twice as likely to die early than those who had been married for the majority of their adult lives.
2. You'll have better mental health.
Relationships can provide stress relief for both partners. Men were found to have lower testosterone levels, while both men and women see drops in cortisol, the hormone that regulates stress relief. Additionally, married couples experience higher levels of serotonin, the body's natural painkiller and mood stabilizer.
Of course, people who are in relationships are able to enjoy their partner's support, which also contributes to their psychological well-being and can improve their overall mood and happiness. They also have a lower chance of developing depression.
3. You'll sleep better.
As with the contributions to your mental health, this one depends on the health of your relationship. If you and your spouse enjoy a happy marriage and partnership, you'll have a better chance of getting a good night's sleep. This is especially true for women. However, if you and your spouse argue frequently and are experiencing high levels of irritability, you may experience frequent sleep disturbances.
4. You'll have a better sex life and a lower risk for STDs.
More frequent sex has been linked to longevity, particularly in married men, as well as better health overall. Since they are also more likely to be having sex with one partner, they have a lower chance of developing STDs.
5. You'll engage in less risk-taking behavior.
Married people are less likely to engage in risky behavior, such as substance abuse and dangerous driving.
6. You'll earn more money.
According to recent findings, people who are married are more likely to work hard and make more money than single peers from similar backgrounds.