No man is an island; we are all wired for connections. Some would even say we live our lives in search of meaningful connections – and I, for one, couldn’t agree more with this sentiment. A happy healthy relationship is truly the foundation for everything else we do. All successes pale if we don’t have a special person with whom we can share them with. Research also tells us that happy relationships not only make us feel emotionally good – but they keep us physically healthy as well.

Following are 7 ways a happy healthy relationship makes you FEEL BETTER.

1. People in happy, healthy relationships are less prone to depression and substance abuse. Scientific research shows people in committed relationships report less signs and symptoms of depression. Why? Social isolation is directly linked to higher rates of depression. And some researches were surprised to discover that marriage (or committed couples) is directly related to a decline in substance abuse and problem drinking – especially in young adults. How awesome are these findings?

2. People in happy relationships tend to have healthy blood pressure levels, as reported in the Annals of Behavioral Medicine. Interestingly, this research reports that unhappily married couples did not have healthy blood pressure levels. So it is not just being in a relationship that makes you healthy; it is the quality of the relationship that is the most important indicator of a healthy blood pressure level.

3. People in long-term committed relationships are less anxious. Research on anxiety reveals that a loving, stable long-term relationship trumps new romance for reporting low levels of anxiety; and fancy brain scans reveal this truth. Neuroscientists believe this is because solid, long-term relationships show activation in parts of the brain that are associated with bonding – and much less activation in the parts of the brain that activate levels of anxiety. Who would have thought?

4. Maybe less anxiety contributes to the fact that people in happy committed relationships manage stress better than people not in these relationships. There is a link between good stress management and social support. You cannot underestimate the value of a supportive partner who loves and cares for you when you are faced with stressful situations. We cope better when we have the emotional support of someone who loves us.

5. This is one of my favorites – people in positive relationships heal faster. Really? Absolutely. A study was published recently in a professional journal which showed flesh wounds healed nearly twice as fast in spouses who had warm interactions with their partners as compared to spouses who had aggressive and hostile interactions with each other. Now that’s the Power of Love!

6. People in happy relationships have fewer colds. Heck, if people in happy relationships can have less stress, anxiety and depression – why not less colds? Happy relationships seem to give our immune system a boost so fewer colds are a common by-product of this increased immunity.

7. This is my absolute best reason, I believe, we should all strive for happy, healthy relationships – you will LIVE LONGER! That’s right, a growing body of evidence suggests that couples who are happy and committed to each other live longer. Happy relationships contribute to a longer life because they provide mutual emotional and financial support. These relationships also keep the Grim Reaper away by keeping at bay feelings of isolation which leads to loneliness. To put it simply, people in happy relationships live longer because they feel love and connected – giving them every reason to want to be alive.

You just read 7 great incentives for making sure your relationship is happy healthy and committed in 2010. Follow Dr. Patty Ann’s relationship advice and your relationship will be the best-ever in the year 2010.

Rekindle Romance and Happiness in Your Relationship,

Dr. Patty Ann
www.relationshiptoolbox.com

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About The Expert

On our About the Expert page, you can learn more about the author, including contact information and other posts they've written. About Dr. Patty Ann.