According to Heart and Stroke spokesperson, Sheldon Tobe, women who come home to a supportive spouse at the end of a busy day are less likely to experience the “blood-pressure-raising effects” of a stressful job.

Dr. Tobe goes on to explain that unfortunately men don’t experience the same physical benefits.  Both men and women experience job strain affects that can raise blood pressure, but it is only in women that the quality of marriage influences this effect on blood pressure.

So what does that mean for you? Well if you’re married to a supportive spouse and your job leaves you stressed at the end of the day, your spouse could do you a world of good for you by just taking the time to make your down-time restful.  Maybe he could prepare dinner every once in a while (or regularly, depending on how you split up the house keeping/cooking duties in your home).

How about a hug and a massage to help you forget about whatever happened in the office hours before.

If you’re not married or with a supportive partner perhaps this is a reminder for you to take what steps you can to decrease those factors at work that are creating stress.  Or perhaps becoming a business owner is in your future.

For whatever reason common opinion is that work involved in managing your own business can be less stressful than doing similar work for someone else.

Of course all this is easier said than done but when you look at the alternative (at best a stroke at worst death) trying to find a way to lessen the stress in your life is a good idea.