Don't marry the person you think you can live with; marry only the individual you think you can't live without. ~Dr. James C. Dobson

For two decades Ohio State University has been studying 90 couples from the time they were newlyweds to learn about how personal relationships affect health. Specifically, the study has focused on how stress impacts the body’s immune system. The conclusion: Happily Married Couples Live Longer Than Their Unhappy Counterparts Plymouth, MI (PRWEB) March 7, 2005 -- Not only is a healthy marriage important to your emotional well being but also will likely be a reason why you are going to live a long life. Recent studies make it clear that finding the right mate will not only boost your mental health but will help men and women live longer. For two decades Ohio State University has been studying 90 couples from the time they were newlyweds to learn about how personal relationships affect health. Specifically, the study has focused on how stress impacts the body’s immune system. The major finding is that a positive marriage relationship results in lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol. The lower the level of cortisol the faster body begins healing. The study has found happily married older couples face less risk of infectious diseases. Couples living in an unhappy marriage produced higher levels of cortisol and experienced poor health. While men benefit more form a happy marriage an unhappy marriage will take a deeper toll on women. A related conclusion is that because people can choose to be happily married every married person also can choose whether to be healthy or sick by successfully dealing with marital issues or ignoring them and letting them fester. Advice on how to build a happy marriage, and avoid the stress of a sick relationship, is given by five experts in the recently published book, The Marriage Medics. www.themarriagemedics.com The Marriage Medics, (ISBN- 0-9760844-0-6) by Cynthia Cooper Ph.D. shares the reasons why some couples fall head-first into divorce and others walk away restored and emotionally healthy. Couples who rescue their relationships seem to do so by using a network of support. The Marriage Medics collects your ideal relationship support network into a single book. Each of the five experts contributing to the book has seen hundreds of divorces from their unique professional perspective, and each knows exactly what factors can determine success or failure. Cooper is a clinical psychotherapist who has counseled couples and families for decades on how better to relate to each other. Cooper has a doctoral degree in clinical psychology, human science research and education. Other experts cited in The Marriage Medics are: • Daniel B. Smith, a bank executive. • Dr, Patti Britton, sex coach, clinical sexologist. • Commander Bobbitti May, a U.S. Navy chaplain • John Hunt, Las Vegas attorney specializing in family law The Marriage Medics can be purchased for $29.95 by credit card or PayPal by going to www.themarriagemedics.com For information on the cortisol study contact Dr. Joyce Glasser, director of the psychiatry department at the University of Ohio.