Married People Less Likely to Get Dementia

Marriage is something you might look forward to as a milestone—especially when you know you’ve found the person you want to share your life with. Other than the big celebration, there’s also the honeymoon and all the “after” photos.Wedded bliss“Did you know that marriage has significant health benefits?” The Nov. 2022 issue of the Journal of Health Economics published a new study. Journal of Aging and Health Conclusion: Being married is actually a great thing. lowers dementia risk.

“Married in midlife is associated with a lower chance of developing dementia. An elderly person“Lead study author Vegard SkirbekkSenior researcher for the Department of Physical Health and Ageing and Centre for Fertility and Health of The Norwegian Institute of Public Health, (NIPH), stated in a statement. Researchers analyzed data from 8,706 middle aged participants. They found that 11.6 percent developed dementia and 35.3 per cent suffered from mild cognitive impairment (MCI). The odds of either condition being diagnosed in this sample were significantly lower for married participants than those who were single or unmarried.

Research suggests that there could be many reasons for this correlation. “In several studies, it has been shown that social isolation is related to an increased risk of dementia,” Skirbekk stated that although previous studies had identified marriage as a protective factor, it was not the case. “equally important for both men and women” In the current study. Other possible reasons included childlessness in unmarried people—as children “seem to be important” when it comes to dementia risk—or the increased stress associated with divorce.

While a lower risk of developing dementia might be enough reason to tie the knot (and stay tied), experts also point out other health benefits that marriage can bring. Find out four top benefits of marriage bliss.

READ THIS: Scientists Have Discovered a Surprising Link Between Grocery Shopping & Dementia.

Stress is a problem A part of livingIt is something that we all feel to some degree, according to the World Health Organization. But there are other things. Angela SitkaLMFT with a Private practice Santa Rosa, California: Tells Best LifeMarriage can be a great way to manage stress.

“Research shows that marriage can provide many psychological protective benefits—one of which is possibly reducing the production of stress hormones like cortisol,” Sitka explains by pointing out a Study of 2010 Published in the journal Stress. According to research, when confronted with a stress-inducing situationThe cortisol produced by married people is lower than that of their unmarried counterparts.

Sitka points out potential reasons why this might be, namely what your spouse can do for you. “Having permanent companionship with a spouse who can provide emotional fulfillment, interpersonal intimacy, and steady support in coping with the stressors of daily life can be a powerful antidote to the stress-filled challenges we face throughout our lives,” She said.

Sitka says that this is not universal as research cannot confirm the validity of marriage. “directly impacts” Stress levels or other factors may play a role. “But the concept makes logical sense that when life is full of stressful situations, having a permanent partner by your side to walk you through the difficult times would make us feel less isolated and more capable of coping, which undoubtedly could reduce our stress levels,” She said.

Joni Ogle, LCSW, CSAT, Licensed clinical social worker The Heights Treatment’s CEO, also emphasized the benefits of lower cortisol levels. “Married couples experience lower levels of cortisol. CortisolShe explains that single people have a higher stress hormone than they do. “Increased levels of cortisol can hinder the body’s ability to regulate inflammation and may result in the progression of many diseases like diabetes and heart disease.”

Although reducing stress is a good thing for your mind, experts recommend that you consider marriage to improve your mindspace.

“Because social support is an incredibly important part of maintaining mental health, being married and having a source of support may reduce feelings of isolation,” Beth RibarskyDr., Professor of Interpersonal communication At the University of Illinois Springfield Best Life. She says that healthy marriages are crucial for this. “troubled relationship” This can lead to worsening mental and physical health.

Clinical psychologist Carla Marie ManlyDr. Judith Sullivan discusses mental health. For married couplesShe also observes patients.

“In my clinical practice, I’ve certainly noted that partners in unsatisfying or high-conflict relationships tend to have more physical and mental health complaints compared to generally well-adjusted couples who attend therapy for ‘maintenance,” She explains. “Happily married couples tend to engage with each other more emotionally and mentally—both of which are associated with positive mental health.”ae0fcc31ae342fd3a1346ebb1f342fcb

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Ogle states that married couples have better mental health which can lead to better physical health.

Although there are not many studies that agree on the physical benefits of marriages, Manly says that married couples are more physically and mentally fit. “I’ve found that happily married couples tend to be more physically active—often engaging in shared hobbies or joint tasks; this is beneficial as increased activity is associated with improved mental and physical health,” She adds.

Harvard Health Publishing blog, 2016. Robert H. ShmerlingSenior faculty editor Dr. Judith Appelbaum, MD, spoke out about the health benefits of marriage and pointed out that married people make better choices regarding their health. Physical health.

“Married people may take fewer risks, eat better, and maintain healthier lifestyles, on average, compared with single people,” Shmerling wrote. “There is also evidence that married people tend to keep regular doctors’ appointments and follow doctors’ recommendations more often than single people.”

Research shows that married couples live longer. Sitka suggests healthier lifestyle habits, including a lower rate of smoking and alcohol consumption and less engagement. “risky behaviors.”

“Motivation for engaging in healthy habits could be a result of the increased accountability to another person within a lifelong partnership,” Sitka mentions, citing a 2020 research on life expectancy and marital status “Married couples have a shared interest in encouraging one another to engage with healthy habits and behaviors as they rely on one another financially, emotionally, and physically. Having someone invested in your health long-term because they are directly impacted by these habits might encourage a healthy lifestyle, even in moments when you don’t feel like doing it for yourself. “

Shmerling highlighted research showing that married people have fewer strokes and survive major operations more often than single people—and they also survive cancer for longer stints of time.

According to data presented at the British Cardiovascular Society Conference 2016, being married can increase your chances of being a successful cardiologist. Surviving a Heart Attack This reduces hospital stays. Similar to Sitka’s observation about the study in Stress, Shmerling explains that this is only an association—meaning you can’t explicitly say the lower risk is because of marriage. You must consider the severity of your heart attack as well as any preexisting medical conditions.

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