The researchers of the Michigan State University has found that it is very important to have a life partner, who is a happy person to keep yourself fit and healthy in middle ages and later years.

The study says that having happy life partner will keep you more healthy than you trying to keep yourself happy.

Assistant Professor of Psychology at the University, William Chopik said, “This finding significantly broadens assumptions about the relationship between happiness and health, suggesting a unique social link.”

Under the study, 1,981 middle age couples were examined and researchers found that people with happy spouses were much more likely to report better health over time.

Although the previous study suggested that the people who keeps themselves happy lead a healthy life, Chopik wanted to explore the health effects of interpersonal relationships.

Chopik said that happy partners are likely provide stronger social support such as care-taking, as compared to unhappy partners who are more like to be focused on their own stresses.

“Happy partners may get unhappy people involved with activities and environments that promote good health, such as maintaining regular sleep cycles, eating nutritious food and exercising,” said Chopik.

He said that being with happy partner should make person’s life easier even if not explicitly happier.

Chopik added, “Simply knowing that one’s partner is satisfied with his or her individual circumstances may temper a person’s need to seek self-destructive outlets, such as drinking or drugs, and may more generally offer contentment in ways that afford health benefits down the road.”

By Prajakt K.