‘All you need is love’ may be more true than we ever imagined because the benefits of being in a happy relationship really do seem to be pretty undeniable – and not just because there’s always someone there to slob around watching Netflix with you.
Of course, that’s not to say that being by yourself doesn’t come with its own upsides – recent research by the University of California suggests that single people are actually more fulfilled, sociable and self-sufficient than their married counterparts – but, time and time again, science has proven that there are big advantages to being in a loving and stable relationship.
Just for the record, we’re not talking about those first, heady days at the start of a romance either, but about long-term partnerships that are genuinely fulfilling for both parties.
*The emphasis really is on ‘happy’ couples, here: after all, a 2016 study by the University of Buffalo showed that being in a ‘low-quality’ relationship is actually detrimental to your health.*
So, the next time you feel like sighing at your partner for whatever reason, maybe keep these seven scientifically proven benefits to being loved-up in mind…
1. Better stress management
It looks like being in a loving relationship can help us cope with life’s stresses that little bit better. In one 2003 study, published in the journal Behavioural Medicine, couples who held hands for 10 minutes then hugged for 20 seconds were shown to have healthier reactions to subsequent stress tests, compared to those who hadn’t had any physical contact.
And that’s not forgetting a recent study by the University of British Colombia, which showed that just sniffing your partner’s scent can have a calming effect on women. Bit gross, we know, but maybe worth remembering whenever it’s your turn to do the washing…
2. Reduced risk of depression
It seems that strong relationships really can help improve your mental health. A large US study by the University of Michigan showed that the quality of a person’s relationships can help predict their likelihood of developing depression in the future.
The good news for those of us who don’t have a spouse or long-term partner? The findings apply to your relationships with family and friends, too.
3. Good for your heart health
Yep, matters of the heart really affect your cardiovascular health. A 2014 study by the University of Pittsburg showed that women in happy marriages had a lower risk of developing heart disease than those in high-stress partnerships, while numerous studies have shown that a happy relationship can lower your blood pressure.
Meanwhile, a study on 10,000 men, published in the American Journal of Medicine, showed that those who felt ‘loved and supported’ by a partner had a reduced risk of angina.
4. Longer life expectancy
A whole host of studies have shown that married people tend to live longer, with 2011 research by Cardiff University showing that wedded couples have a 10-15% lower risk of dying prematurely.
Meanwhile, research from 2006 on over 60,000 Americans, showed that people who had never married were more than twice as likely to die early than those who were coupled up or divorced.
5. Increased self-esteem
It makes sense that having a supportive and loving partner might make you feel good about yourself, and a 2017 study by the University of Bern has confirmed that being in a relationship really does impact your self-esteem.
There were a couple of caveats, though: this was only the case when the relationship was ‘well-functioning and stable’.
6. Better sleep
Now, we reckon this one probably depends on how much your other half snores… But, according to scientists from Turkey, who studied over 700 cohabiting couples, lying next to a supportive partner who they felt responded well to their needs helped people sleep better.
And, if your partner’s snuffles and snorts are affecting your quality of sleep, maybe check out these top tips to naturally stop snoring.
7. A happier life
Finally, the Harvard Grant Study, a 75-year study into happiness (the longest ever undertaken), came to one resounding conclusion: “good relationships keep us happier”.
According to George Vaillant, the Harvard psychiatrist who directed the study from 1972 to 2004, there are two “pillars of happiness”.
“One is love,” he wrote in his book on the subject,The Triumphs of Experience. “The other is finding a way of coping with life that does not push love away.”
So, if you’re coupled up or not, it’s worth remembering that making an effort to strengthen your relationships and cultivate more love in your life really could be the secret to happiness, whether you’re doing so with a romantic partner, or your friends and family.
