Marriage improves men's physical and mental health: study

A study conducted by the University of Toronto in Canada has uncovered a surprising benefit of marriage for men.

Researchers found that married men experience a slower decline in physical and mental health as they age, compared to their unmarried counterparts.

The study, published in the Journal of International Social Work, evaluated the health of over 7,000 middle-aged individuals over a three-year period.

The findings revealed that marriage plays a significant role in improving men's overall well-being, reducing the likelihood of serious physical, mental, and emotional problems.

Surprisingly, the positive effects were not observed in married women, as per the study.

However, unmarried women did exhibit similar benefits, suggesting that the dynamics of marriage may differ for men and women.

According to the research, married men reported greater happiness in life, underscoring the link between successful marriage and good health in midlife.

Researchers noted that previous studies had not extensively explored this connection.

"Our aim was to understand the effects of marriage on physical health and personality," said the researchers.

They added that past reports have shown a correlation between good health and marriage for both men and women "as married couples often encourage each other to adopt healthy behaviours".

The study also highlighted the importance of nurturing relationships with relatives, friends, and neighbours in middle age.

Adopting healthy habits, such as regular physical activity, quality sleep, and avoiding smoking, was also found to ensure good health in old age.

Researchers said that regardless of age, embracing a healthy lifestyle is vital.