They Say: Parenting Lowers Blood Pressure

Well knock me down with a feather. A new study that will have harassed parents everywhere saying ‘whaaaaat’ has found that parenthood seems to actually lower your blood pressure.

As reported on news.com.au,

Researchers at Brigham Young University in Utah, USA, observed 198 adults who wore portable blood pressure monitors for 24 hours.

They found those who had children had a lower reading than those without children, and the effect was stronger in women.

“While caring for children may include hassles, deriving a sense of meaning and purpose from life’s stress has been shown to be associated with better health outcomes,” says lead researcher Dr Julianne Holt-Lunstad.

Unfortunately, more children don’t add any extra benefit, it’s just parenting per se. Maybe a constant state of stress is good for one’s blood pressure?

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