Multiple studies have been done that show that being married or being in a relationship is good for a person's overall mental and physical health. For those who are single, it's also discouraging. A new health study that was released, though, says that being single may have its own health benefits.
The health benefits of being single
Fox News reported on a recent study that was released that said there is a slew of health benefits related to being single. According to sexual specialist Dr. Maria Sophocles, there is plenty of good news for singles who are worried about their health because they're not in a relationship.
Sophocles told Fox News that singles are often stigmatized and that there is a perception that everyone wants to be in a relationship. If a person is single, often that person is seen as sad even though many singles are actually happy and satisfied with their lives. Currently, there are over 100 million single adults in the U.S., many of whom are living healthy and joyful lives.
Singles have several advantages that impact their health in a positive way. These include more "me" time. There is also a chance to reflect more fully on life and make more positive choices. Singles can also reconnect with old friends. For those who are having money problems, it's a chance to get finances back on track.
Better finances means having more money to spend on personal care. Creating a budget and sticking to it also reduces financial stress. It's easier to stick to a budget when the budget is only for one person.
Life skills can also create health benefits
Live Science reported on a study from England that said older adults have plenty of reasons to be optimistic.
Researchers in the study looked at five different Life Skills in adults over the age of 52. Those five skills were: conscientiousness, control, persistence, emotional stability, and optimism. They determined that the higher the scores the adults had, the more health benefits they received. Researchers also accounted for factors like education and cognitive abilities.
What the researchers also determined from this study is that having these skills early in life was just as important as having things like an education. Other characteristics that researchers measured also included mental health. Those in the study who had the highest scores were least likely to be depressed. In fact, only about three percent of those who had high scores were also depressed. Higher scores also meant that participants were more likely to have greater economic success and a lower prevalence of disease and obesity. Although researchers said a genetic component may be involved in whether or not the person had these skills, they didn't evaluate whether having a significant other was also a factor in overall life success.
