9 facts you should know before taking wedding vows

It is not enough that the presence of your sweetheart makes your heart flutter, and your stomach do a quick succession of flips.

It’s also not enough that the sun seems to shine brighter when you’re with your girl; it’s surely not conclusive evidence that your marriage will be full of sunshine and warmth. It does not work that way.

That is pretty much an established fact. But is that the only marriage fact? Of course not. Below we list 9 more wedding facts you should know about.

1. The honeymoon phase may be a myth

There is a longstanding belief that married couples enjoy a sweet phase of the relationship when everything is all sweet and rosy. That might be untrue afterall.

At Deakin University’s Australian Center on Quality of Life, researchers say that couples actually get the most happiness after one year of marriage, and not before.

They say it has to do with something “wedding hangover” ― a feeling of sadness once the wedding is over and the actual marriage begins.

2. Cuddling needs to be a priority

A 2014 study out of the University of Toronto found that even a small amount of cuddling can produce substantial increases in sexual and relationship satisfaction. Now imagine the wonders you’ll see in your marriage if you increase the dosage of cuddling you get.

Just imagine it.

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3. Divided chores, steamier sex

In 2015 researchers at the University of Alberta found that couples who take turns cleaning the house had higher relationship satisfaction and had more joy in the bedroom than couples who didn’t.

So instead of wondering if your head game is on point or not, why not take up a mop?

4. Contempt causes divorce more than you think

John Gottman, an American marriage expert says scornful behavior like eye-rolling, sarcasm and name-calling is the number one predictor of divorce.

After his study of about 40 years, he concludes that the key predictors of divorce aka ‘the four horsemen of the apocalypse’ are contempt, criticism, defensiveness and stonewalling.

5. Better discuss finances before the wedding

Couples who have disputes about finances early in their marriage don’t last long together according to a study from the University of Kansas.

It may not be the sexiest premarital convo but talking about money issues now rather than later could save you a world of heartache.

6. Men really benefit from getting married

A major survey of 127,545 American adults found that married men are healthier than men who never married, or those who divorced.

Of course, the research also found that they live longer.

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7. Arguments are actually good for your marriage

Never shy from arguments because you fear a disruption of happiness in your marriage.

Florida State University researchers found in 2012 that bursts of arguments can actually be beneficial to relationships. Arguing helps signal to your partner that certain behaviors are unacceptable by you, and helps them adjust.

8. Divorce may be contagious

If someone in your social network ― say your coworker BFF or family friend ― splits up, the statistical likelihood of ending up in divorce court yourself increases by 75 percent, according to the “Social Forces” journal published in 2013.

“Individuals who get divorced may influence not only their friends, but also their friends’ friends as the propensity to divorce spreads.”the researcher says.

9. Marriage betters your heart condition

In one recent study out of New York University’s Lagone Medical Center, researchers found that married men and women had a five percent lower chance of cardiovascular disease compared to single folks.

Hey, your heart actually needs love. Read that literally.