It’s not uncommon these days for long-married folks to separate. The U.S. divorce rate for couples in their 50s and 60s has doubled in the past 24 years -- 1 in 4 divorces are among couples 50 and older; 1 in 10 among those over 65.
Why is this happening? Perhaps because many people are living longer, healthier lives and don’t feel duty-bound to stay in a dysfunctional relationship. They realize they’ve got a lot of life left to enjoy – that is, if they’ve maintained a younger RealAge by eating right, staying trim, exercising and managing stress (which a dysfunctional relationship usually causes). Plus, leaving a toxic relationship helps reduce your risk of heart disease, according to Michigan State University researchers, and lessens the risk for depression.
But divorce isn’t always the smart choice. Repairing a broken marriage deepens love and reinforces its health benefits, like longevity and happiness. Such repairs can often be achieved with marriage counseling: Some studies show it improves 70% of relationships. So if your long-term relationship is rocky, you may want to consider seeing a counselor -- your marriage may thank you.
Medically reviewed in January 2020.
