This is why I was happy to see some recent research that demonstrates yet another one of these benefits: while virtually all long-term romantic relationships have their share of stresses, such relationships have an overall stress-relieving effect, this new research shows. We've known for a while that solid social relationships can act as a buffer to stress (read more about social support to find out how), but this new study from Dario Maestripieri of the University of Chicago shows that marriage and similar long-term romantic relationships actually have a dampening effect on stress-induced production of cortisol, the body's stress hormone. Simply put, married people and those in serious committed relationships tend to physically react less to stress. Aside from other resources that relationships provide, they also promote resilience to stress!
Maestripieri and colleagues studied a group of 500 master's degree students, asking them to perform a test they were told would impact their grades, creating a somewhat stressful experience for them. Their cortisol levels were then measured and studied, and it was found that the studied 500 masters' degree students at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. About 40 percent of men and 53 percent of women who were married or in relationships had lower levels of post-stress cortisol in their blood, showing that they had reacted less to the stress.
"These results suggest that single and unpaired individuals are more responsive to psychological stress than married individuals, a finding consistent with a growing body of evidence showing that marriage and social support can buffer against stress," Maestripieri writes. "Although marriage can be pretty stressful, it should make it easier for people to handle other stressors in their lives," Maestripieri said. "What we found is that marriage has a dampening effect on cortisol responses to psychological stress, and that is very new."
Does this come as a surprise? If your relationship seems like more of a stressor than a stress reliever, fear not--relationship skills can be learned, and relationship stress can be managed, often more easily than one might guess! The following relationship resources can help you get started toward a less stressed relationship so you can enjoy the full stress relief benefits of your romance.
- Common Marriage Problems and Solutions
Money? Daily stress? Kids? Learn the top stressors for couples, and how to manage them! - How To Stop Fighting About Money
Don't let economic woes lead to marital woes! Here's how to stop. - How To Have a Happy Marriage
Learn about some new research on happy marriages, and find tips to make yours one of those! - Communication Skills
Here are some tips that can be used to keep communication happy and healthy in romantic relationships. Many apply to friends, co-workers and telemarketers as well! - Happy Marriage Tips
Other readers share their best--and you can, too! Stop by and swap relationship tips.
Read More Relationship Research for Stress Relief
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Source:
Maestripieri, D. et. al. Between- and Within-sex Variations in Hormonal Responses to Psychological Stress in a Large Sample of College Students. Stress, August 2010.
