Is a husband who goes to the gym the secret to a happy marriage?

The formula for a happy marriage is usually thought to revolve around love, respect and a healthy physical relationship.

But it turns out that, for many wives at least, the real secret to contentment is a husband who looks after his body.

New research shows female spouses are much less likely to feel depressed if their other half regularly goes to the gym, jogs or takes part in sport.

Husbands’ activity levels had a powerful affect on wives’ mental health – even if they themselves did little or no exercise.

The research, by a team of psychologists at the renowned Yale School of Public Health in the US, suggests physical activity not only reduces the risk of depression in men working out but in their partners too.

But the benefits appear to be confined to women.

Men whose wives exercised frequently did not see the same improvement in mood.

Keeping active is now thought to be one of the best ways to ward off depression.

Exercise stimulates the release of feel-good chemicals in the brain called endorphins.

But this is the first time scientists have found mood can improve simply because someone else does the exercising.

Psychologists recruited more than 1,200 married couples in their sixties who took part in a long-term health study.

Over a ten-year period, each volunteer was regularly quizzed on how much they exercised and assessed for whether they were at risk of depression.

The results, published in the Annals of Behavioural Medicine, showed wives were happier if their husbands stayed active.

But the men only cheered up if it was them doing the keep fit.

Experts believe one explanation may be that exercise seems to have a more powerful psychological effect on men than women as they age.

Some of this feel-good factor may then rub off on their spouses, especially as women tend to be more sensitive to their partner’s feelings than men.

Researcher Professor Joan Monin, from Yale University School of Public Health, said: ‘Spouses’ behaviours and feelings tend to have an important influence on each other.’

She said the type of exercise undertaken was also crucial.

Men usually take part in group activities that are more beneficial for mental health, whereas wives’ physical activities often include household chores.

Sports and exercise psychologist Phil Johnson said one reason female spouses may benefit is that they are more in tune with their feelings, learning from a young age to express themselves emotionally.

When they see their partners doing something that boosts their own emotional well-being, it rubs off on them.

‘If men are doing something positive for themselves, such as exercise, it can have a positive effect on wives too,’ he said.

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