There are many good reasons to choose wisely and carefully when picking a spouse - not the least of which is that you'll be spending an awful lot of time with them in both the near and distant future, possibly even raising children together.
So you want to find someone with whom you are compatible, share values -- someone who makes you happy. But perhaps one of the most compelling reasons to make an informed choice is that your spouse can affect your physical health in very direct, measurable ways.
Check out these stats published by Associated Counsellors & Therapists, of Hermosa Beach, California. Included is the following quote from psychologist and author John Gottman, PhD:
The benefits are better physical health, more resistance to infection, fewer infections, and a reduced likelihood of dying from cancer, from heart disease, from all major killers.
The other health benefit is longevity: People live longer if they are in marital relationships, particularly if they are in good, satisfying relationships...
There are physical benefits and mental health benefits. You have less depression, less anxiety disorders, less psychosis, less posttraumatic stress disorders, fewer phobias. You also have fewer injuries due to accidents.
Gottman, considered by many to be a pioneer in the field of marriage research, is the James Mifflin Professor in the department of psychology at the University of Washington in Seattle. He and his wife Julie are directors of the Gottman Institute.
No comments:
Post a Comment