old saying “Happy wife, happy life,”
suggesting that men and women with
happy spouses are not only happier but
also healthier. For the study, researchers
analyzed data compiled on nearly
2,000 middle-aged, heterosexual couples
whose happiness and physical health were
tracked for 6 years. They found that those
whose spouses had a positive outlook were
34 percent more likely to be healthy, exercise
regularly and eat healthfully, and have
positive outlooks themselves. Those with a
pessimistic partner, on the other hand, had
more health issues and were less physically
active. Why? The researchers speculate that
when one member of a couple adopts good
lifestyle habits, that person encourages his
or her spouse to do the same. Spouses with
a positive outlook also cause less stress in
the relationship, the study’s lead author,
William Chopik, tells Time.com. “Simply
having a happy partner,” he said, “may
enhance health as much as striving to be
happy oneself.”
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