This article says that having a good marriage can lower your blood pressure. Although the article says, “Note that the findings were based on only a single day of blood pressure monitoring and participants responses to questionnaires.”
Wasn’t there another study recently that said that having cats improved your health in some way? So which is better? Cats or spouses?
Yes, I understand that friends don’t cut it. But what about the cats? Do you think that one is superior to the other, health-inducing-wise? And do the effects stack?
The study may not be difinitive. If you want more information, it says:
“Primary source: Annals of Behavioral Medicine
Source reference: Holt-Lunstad J, et al “Is there something unique about marriage? The relative impact of marital status, relationship quality, and network social support on ambulatory blood pressure and mental health.” Ann Behav Med 2008; DOI: 10.1007/s12160-008-9018-y.”
I don’t have a spouse, but I have two cats. Think I should get a third just to be safe?
There’s a fair amount of research that suggests that marriage is more beneficial for men than women. The evidence is mixed on health effects for women. Stick with cats.
You can be happily married and still want to get out of the house more than you do. Hmmm. Marry the cat? I can’t help thinking of the old joke that ends with “Darling, aren’t you sorry now that you had me fixed?”
I wonder where dogs fit into the equation.
I think it’s just beneficial to have ready access to pussy.
Actually, I remember seeing something (on 60 Minutes?) years ago that said that any furry pet will confer health benefits, including dogs. I think the idea is that someone giving you love, including physical love (like petting the family dog), is healthy. Something else I saw on 60 Minutes was about children who had never been touched. They had real problems, mentally and physically. They benefitted from touch therapy.
