The significance of marriage in our lives is sometimes trivialized and placed in a bad light. Critics and comics treat it as a way of trapping a person into something that they may not want, or as an archaic institution that has little value in contemporary life.

Never in our history has the average age of marriage been as high as it is today. But it turns out that marriage offers surprisingly beneficial health effects.

There appears to be a unique health and well-being benefit to marriage, whether one speaks of community roots, companionship, trust, or a reduction in stress. You may develop greater confidence about your future if you study the potential benefits of getting married, regardless of whether you’re currently in a long-term relationship or not.

Health benefits

There are many health benefits to the married state. Wedded couples tend to live longer and experience a lower risk of heart disease, stroke, and cancer.

They also have a lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. Marriage can improve mental health, as well: married individuals are less likely to suffer from depression and anxiety.

In addition, marriage can have financial advantages. Married couples tend to have higher incomes and more assets than single people.

A healthier lifestyle is easier to maintain when you have plenty of funds.  And of course, marriage provides companionship and support, which can be vital during tough times.

Marriage provides a unique level of commitment and trust. A person is not just accountable to himself or herself, but to others, especially if there are children.  

Being happy and having fun

There is a negative stereotype that marriage mostly limits what you can and cannot do. However, the opposite is often true: the married state can be a source of happiness and joy.

What many people don’t realize is that it can also be a lot of fun! Spending time with your spouse, sharing laughter and love, and simply being together can bring some of the most enjoyable moments of life. Later, if you have kids, watching their success and triumphs can bring joy and fulfilment as well. 

There is no question that marriage is not always easy. There will be ups and downs, and you might have to work to keep the spark alive.

But when you put in that effort, being married can turn out to be one of the best experiences of your life. It might just be the best decision you ever make.

Engagement

We must acknowledge that nearly 50% of all marriages end in divorce. Some of that is due to the possibility that many couples decide to get married too early.

The appeal of selecting the perfect diamond cluster engagement ring, living together, and having the perfect family often pushes the process faster than it ought to. Though there isn’t a perfect time or process that tells you when to get engaged or married, seriousness and a long-term perspective can guide a couple to sense when they should move in that direction. 

At the same time, there will always be reasons not to get married. Wedlock requires a leap of faith, even for couples who have been together for a while and believe they are ready to take on anything.

Despite the reasons to hold off, sometimes risks and sacrifices must be accepted to make the match work out.

Takeaway

There’s no doubt that marriage can be hard work. It often takes sacrifices, compromise, and sometimes just swallowing one’s pride, but if done right, it can be so worth it. The potential health benefits, both physical and mental, along with the joy and happiness that accompany the effort, can make the potential for disappointment worth the risk.

Ellen Diamond did her degree in psychology at the University of Hertfordshire. She is interested in mental health, wellness, and lifestyle.