5 Reasons to Put Marriage On Your To Do List

If you want to increase your odds of stability and happiness, while also contributing to the long-term well-being of society, there’s one thing you can do: get married. At first glance, it may not sound related, but marriage is actually the building block of society and health. The nuclear family holds so many things in place, including mental and physical health, emotional well-being and economic success. Studies, including this one from Harvard, even show better heart health! 

As a young professional, you may have your eye on career goals and travel plans. It’s important to keep marriage on your mind as you navigate adulthood. Here are five reasons why you should put marriage on your to-do list: 

1. Improves physical health. According to the Harvard study above, a study of 250,000 people showed that married individuals were 14% more likely to survive a heart attack and to leave the hospital two days sooner than single people. They also live longer, have fewer heart attacks and are likely to fare better in a cancer diagnosis.

2. Improves mental health. An NIH study found that those who are married have better psychological health than singles. Another study, focused on older, married couples, found that older people in stable marriages were happier with low rates of depression and anxiety. Numerous other studies confirm this research!

3. Improves economic stability. Research shows that married men, on average, make more money than their unmarried counterparts. Unbroken, nuclear families also generally have better economic success than other families – often paying for two homes and dealing with unexpected expenses that come with divorce or never marrying. 

4. Improves the lives of children. It’s hard to overstate how much marriage matters for children. It drops the probability of child poverty by 82% and contributes to much higher levels of physical, mental and emotional stability throughout life – just to name a few benefits. Of course single parents can be wonderful parents, but the data shows two married parents are the most optimal by far. 

5. Improves societal durability. According to research by the National Marriage Project, marriage is a “seedbed of pro-social behavior,” meaning married people are more likely to create habits and lifestyles that contribute to the social good and create relational, social capital. Such positive behaviors – like civic activism, volunteerism, mentoring, philanthropy and institutional participation – build a stronger community and society. 

Marriage may seem like an outdated priority, but there is not denying the tangible and very real benefits that more healthy marriages bring to modern society. Marriage cushions our individual lives and provides a stronger foundation for communities, institutions and even government.  It’s not something you can earn a degree or take a class for, but you can certainly keep your eyes peeled for the right partner to share your life with.