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Pair up for wellness
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Findings suggest that spouses influence each other’s health behaviour
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Photo: Murali kumar k.
KEEP WALKING Stay in shape together
The next time your spouse says, “What you can do, I can do better”, pay attention. It could be true. A team of international researchers has found that spouses often mirror each other’s health habits, the Science Daily reported. From its data involving 6,072 individuals observed over several decades, the research concludes: when one spouse improves health behaviour, it is very likely that the other will mimic it.
The study found “spouse pressure” most apparent in habits such as smoking and drinking. If one partner quit smoking, the healthy decision might influence the other. “Why, it could happen in other health areas,” said Shankar, married for more than 30 years. “Geetha and I have put together a tennis–temple fitness programme.” They leave home at 5 a.m., he for tennis, she to the nearby temple. He plays his few games, picks her up for a 45-minute workout at the club gym. “We pedal away at an exercise bike at home,” said Shankar. “I am her personal trainer.” It isn’t a one-sided affair, said Geetha. “And who makes him visit temples? I also got him to do tharpanam and pujas regularly. There’s a lot of discipline in his life now.”
Abstract theory, says artist Ilango, tongue firmly in cheek. “Wives bully the husband to stay healthy. They mother you to eat the right food.What he can’t digest is wives don’t eat what they recommend for the husband. “My brother-in-law is a health nut, lives on bland, boiled food. His wife refuses to touch it. She cooks for the ‘children’ and eats the ‘leftovers’. “Family” influence on health practices doesn’t really need recording. Spouses may not go for cholesterol screening if the ‘other’ does, but they certainly tie up their shoes to go for a brisk morning walk together.
Over a period of time, the convenience of cooking common meals determines the kind of food on the table. Household routines are established and what’s healthy makes peace with what the family wants.
“Totally,” echoes C.R. Celin, psychologist and counsellor. “Both good and bad habits are adopted by long-term partners. A few years into the marriage, thoughts and wavelengths begin to coincide, tastes merge. ”
So how do we make sure the less handsome gets first choice to change? “Obviously, the one who’s more suggestible or more adaptable embraces the habits of the other.” The finding that spouses influence each other’s health behaviour has an important spin-off. Researchers point out doctors can now rope in the partner for a patient’s preventive health programme.
Exercise schedules have a better chance of being stuck to if the spouse is watching or working out alongside.
Can it work the other way, too? Unfortunately, yes. Good health management can be thwarted. So pair up for wellness. A couple that trains together stays in shape together. Quit smoking, stop drinking alcohol, eat healthy, sleep, exercise and smile. Switch to a healthy lifestyle.
And inspire your partner to do the same. For all this to happen, there is an obvious condition. You have to stay married, or at least together.
GEETA PADMANABHAN
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