Contributing to someone’s happiness is not only good for your heart and soul, but now, according to research, it’s actually beneficial for your physical health, too.
In a new study by William J. Chopik and Ed O’Brien published in Health Psychology, which comprises of more than two decades’ worth of research and almost 2,000 case studies, it is believed that a person’s health may be measured against the happiness of their husband or wife.
This research suggests that by providing support to their spouse, being a positive influence on their life by encouraging them to drink less and exercise more, as well as involving them in activities that better their wellbeing (think regular sleep cycles and eating balanced meals as a household), can make them a healthier person in the long run.
This is because those who had an unhappy spouse reported a lack of motivation and lowered energy levels, which ultimately diminished their desire to put time into their health and wellbeing – the antithesis of those with a happy partner.
It all comes down to the core finding of the study, as reiterated by authors Chopik and O’Brien: “Being surrounded by a partner should make a person’s life easier even if not explicitly happier.”
We 100 per-cent agree…
