3 health benefits of being single

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Most people automatically assume that not finding a partner in life makes one unhappy. That may be the case for a lot of people, but a recent study published in the Social Psychological and Personality Science journal revealed some interesting results.

The study, done by Yuthika Girme and her colleagues at the University of Auckland in New Zealand, sought to find out if being single equated to being unhappy, and the results showed otherwise. In fact, results showed that for some people, not being in a relationship is in fact less stressful for them. Moreover, the Chicago Tribune reports that single people were just as happy as their "taken" counterparts.

The Press Examiner reports that according to Girme, "It’s a well-documented finding that single people tend to be less happy compared to those in a relationship, but that may not be true for everyone."

She explained, "This is actually the first evidence that being single doesn’t necessarily undermine life satisfaction or well being and in fact may offer benefits including protection against being hurt or rejected by relationship partners."

The Chicago Tribune reports that according to James Maddux, a senior scholar at the Center for the Advancement of Well-Being at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia, the "study underscores the point that you can never say one size fits all" and that "there are many paths to happiness."

Moreover, he said: "Life satisfaction is a very complicated issue, and the more we study it, the more nuances we see." Being single also has its health benefits. In fact, here are some ways that being unattached can benefit one's life.

1. Singles exercise more and have lesser risk of gaining weight. Health reports that according to a study published in the journal Health Psychology, people who are in a relationship aren't pressured to attract a new mate, and therefore are less uptight or conscious about their appearances. Moreover, women who struggle to lose weight before their wedding day are more likely to gain back the pounds six months after they tie the knot.

Bella DePaulo, Ph.D., a visiting researcher at the University of California Santa Barbara said: "Many single women and men care about their health and their well-being. They exercise, eat right, and live overall healthy lifestyles." Health also reports that according to studies, unmarried adults exercise more than their married counterparts.

2. Singles get enough time for themselves. Forbes reports that according to Eric Klinenberg, a NYU sociologist and author of the book Going Solo, single people get more "restorative solitude," basically "alone time," which according to him is essential especially for creative individuals.

Klinenberg explained that having time for yourself can make you refreshed and be more engaging to the outside world. He said: "Many of our greatest artists and writers wrote about the benefits of having time on their own, and they certainly exhibit that."

3. Singles have more friendships and relationships to cultivate. Health reports that according to a 2006 University of Massachusetts Amherst study, single individuals were actually better at maintaining relationships with family and friends. According to DePaulo, "Single people—especially single women—often have networks of people who are important to them. They have ‘the ones’ rather than ‘the one.'"

So if you're feeling down about not having found a partner, take pride in the health benefits it will bring you, and the endless possibilities of single-handedly taking charge of your life. De Paulo said: “There are just too many single people who are happy and healthy and love their single lives, and too many people who know single people who are thriving, for the misperceptions to endure.”