To find out the secret to a lasting marriage, scientists from the University of Illinois, United States, conducted a small study involving 10 couples who had been married for 14 to 65 years. For two weeks the researchers observed the activities of 10 married couples ranging in age from 64 to 88 years.
During the study a married couple wore a Fitbit to measure their heart rate. They also wear small remote sensing devices. The researchers installed sensors in the home to monitor devices and observe in real time how close the pair were. (Read also; 10 Longest Living Animals on Earth, Tortoises and Crocodiles Don’t Enter )
The researchers correlated three variables, namely the proximity of partners, heart rate, and time in real time when they interacted. During the study the Fitbit was worn from morning to night before bed to detect heart rate during activities.
“Our first step was to see if heart rate and closeness correlated over time. We looked at the husband’s heart rate with closeness, the wife’s heart rate with closeness, and two heartbeats with each other,” said Brian Ogolsky, Professor in the Department of Human Development and Studies. Families at the University of Illinois quoted from the sciencedaily page, Thursday (11/18/2021).
From these observations, the researchers found that when couples were close to each other, their heartbeats synchronized in a complex pattern of interactions. This indicates that adjacent pairs have the same rhythmic vibrations affected by heart rate.
“We are looking for a more objective way to measure relationship dynamics. This suggests that the presence of other people around us has psychological benefits. So, physical closeness is a strong candidate (for a lasting relationship),” said Ogolsky.
However, Ogolsky warns, closeness to other people is not always beneficial, it depends on the nature of the interaction. Closeness in the context of conflict is very different from closeness in the context of love interactions.
“That is, when a partner is close, their heart rate patterns change indicating collective interaction in a synchronous pattern. However, changes in heart rate can be positive or negative,” said Ogolsky. (Read also; US scientists say human brain size is shrinking, what is a sign? )
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