Home Australia Sorry singletons! Scientists confirm that married people really are happier

Sorry singletons! Scientists confirm that married people really are happier

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If you want to feel truly fulfilled in life, getting married could be the answer. In the photo: Bridget Jones.

If you want to feel truly fulfilled in life, getting married could be the answer.

People who are married and in committed relationships have, on average, significantly higher life satisfaction than single people, according to a study conducted in more than 65 countries.

The researchers asked people if their life was close to ideal, if they would change almost nothing if they had time again, and if they had experienced the most important things in life.

The ratings of almost 57,000 people around the world were compared, in countries including the United Kingdom, the United States, France, Italy, Japan and Thailand.

Life satisfaction was higher in people who were married and in committed relationships, and also in those who reported greater financial security.

Older people, ages 45 and older, were slightly more satisfied with their lives than younger people.

Researchers suggest that a wider circle of friends, of married people who share their lives, could help generate a sense of belonging.

A life partner tends to make difficulties more bearable and encourages healthy behaviors, which can reduce the chances of illness and lead to a more satisfying life.

If you want to feel truly fulfilled in life, getting married could be the answer. In the photo: Bridget Jones.

People who are married and in committed relationships have, on average, significantly higher life satisfaction than single people, according to a study conducted in more than 65 countries. In the photo: Bridget Jones on her wedding day.

People who are married and in committed relationships have, on average, significantly higher life satisfaction than single people, according to a study conducted in more than 65 countries. In the photo: Bridget Jones on her wedding day.

Professor Viren Swami, who led the Anglia Ruskin University study, said: “People who are married and in serious relationships feel that they are cared for and loved, that they really matter.”

‘That can have a real impact on life satisfaction, as can small displays of love in a romantic relationship, like someone making you a meal.

‘We know that having a partner encourages you to be healthier, because it can encourage you to eat better, go for a walk or see the doctor when something is wrong.

“In addition, people in committed relationships tend to have a larger circle, because they enter their partner’s social network, and that feeling of belonging to a community can increase life satisfaction.”

The study, published in the journal PLOS One, looked at 56,968 people who were part of a study on nature exposure and well-being, about half of whom were married or in a committed relationship.

These people were asked to rate their level of agreement with five statements used to judge life satisfaction.

These included “I have the most important things in life so far” and “if I could live my life over again, I would change almost nothing.”

The other three statements asked whether people were satisfied with their lives, whether their living conditions were excellent, and whether, in most ways, their lives were close to ideal.

People who were married or in a committed relationship had higher life satisfaction, although this may have been more important at the time the study was conducted, which was during the height of the Covid pandemic, when people in Some countries were confined to their homes and depended more on their loved ones.

Life satisfaction was slightly higher in people who had achieved at least a high school education, but financial security appeared to be the most important factor in feeling satisfied in life.

The researchers also compared different age groups, looking at people 18 to 24, 25 to 44, and people 45 and older.

The older the age group, the more satisfied people were, although age only made a small difference.

Professor Swami said: “Older people have had more time to discover what makes them happy and to do more of it, which is important for well-being.”

“They may also be more financially secure, which is important.”

WHEN YOU SHOULD BREAK UP WITH YOUR PARTNER

Kale Monk, assistant professor of human development and family sciences at the University of Missouri, says on-and-off relationships are associated with higher rates of abuse, poorer communication, and lower levels of commitment.

People in these types of relationships must make informed decisions about whether to stay together once and for all or end their relationship.

Here are her five top tips for determining if it’s the right time to end your relationship:

1. When considering rekindling a relationship that ended or avoiding future breakups, partners should think about the reasons they broke up to determine if there are ongoing or persistent issues affecting the relationship.

2. Having explicit conversations about the problems that led to the breakups can be helpful, especially if the problems are likely to occur again. However, if there has ever been violence in the relationship, or if having a conversation about relationship problems may raise safety concerns, consider seeking support services when it is safe to do so.

3. Similar to thinking about the reasons why the relationship ended, spend time thinking about the reasons why reconciliation might be an option. Is the reason rooted in commitment and positive feelings, or rather in obligations and convenience? These latter reasons are more likely to lead down a path of continued distress.

4. Remember that it is okay to end a toxic relationship. For example, if your relationship is beyond repair, don’t feel guilty about leaving it for your physical or mental well-being.

5. Couples therapy or relationship counseling is not just for couples who are on the brink of divorce. Even happily married and dating couples can benefit from ‘relationship checkups’ to strengthen the connection between partners and have additional support when addressing relationship transitions.

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