Dreading the approach of Valentine’s Day? It can provoke angst among those of us whose relationship status is single, but it needn’t. Single people tend to be thinner, fitter, more rested, less stressed and have a tighter circle of friends than their married counterparts. So if you’re single, rejoice in your status this Valentine’s day—you have a lot going for you (maybe even more than your commingled peers).
It’s good for your figure
A report published in 2013 in the Journal of Family Issues looked at 20 years of data from the 1979 National Longitudinal Survey of Youth. In general, living alone was associated with lower body mass index compared to living with someone else.
You’re fitter
A 2004 study published in the Journal of Marriage and Family found out of more than 13,000 men and women between the ages of 18 and 64, the ones who had never been married exercised more each week than those who were either married or divorced. The conclusion? Either single peeps have more time to work out, or they are more concerned with their appearance.
Less stress
Perhaps one of the biggest bennies of being single is less chores. According to a 2005 University of Michigan study, singletons do less housework than married people. They also have fewer money woes. According to an article in Time magazine, “In a 2014 survey of more than 2,000 adults in relationships, one in three admitted to “financial infidelity,” or lying to a partner about money issues. Married people are also more likely to have credit card debt—not exactly a health issue in itself, but something that has been shown to detract from both emotional and physical well-being.”
Stellar sleep
Many married couples don’t like to admit it, but you sleep more soundly when you are alone. A survey conducted by the Sleep Council of England found out of 1,408 couples, one in four people tend to find their way to a spare room or sofa to get some decent shut eye. It’s a trend making its way into current home design. In 2007, the National Association of Home Builders predicted that 60 percent of custom homes would offer dual master bedrooms by 2015. The recession put a wrench in such speedy growth, but Houseplans (houseplans.com), an online home design company, reported a 27 percent increase in interest in plans with dual master suites since early 2014.
Stronger circle of friends
A study published in the Journal of Marriage and Family found married people are less likely than single people to keep in contact with friends, family, and neighbors. Single people have more invested in their friendships and families and therefore prioritize them. So this Valentine’s Day, celebrate the bromance or womance (woman + romance) in your life. Or better yet, praise your ongoing love affair with the person you will have the longest, and arguably the most important, relationship with—yourself.
