You’ve heard the expression “Happy wife, happy life”…… Well, it’s true, AND it’s true for husbands, too! Research from UC Davis found that when your spouse is in a good mood, you’ll probably feel happier too. And it goes deeper than that. When your partner experiences positive emotions, your body produces less cortisol, the primary stress hormone, regardless of how you’re feeling yourself.
And the benefits are greater in happy, long-term relationships. People in long-term, satisfying relationships showed the strongest link between their partner’s happiness and reduced stress. And that emotional reciprocity plays a critical role in healthy aging.
So what about negative emotions? Thankfully, unlike positive emotions, a partner’s negative emotions were not found to significantly affect stress levels. The researchers think that’s because long-term couples develop strategies to protect each other from stress. And if both partners are in a good mood? That’s the best-case scenario.
The researchers say creating opportunities for shared good times provides a mutual health boost.
