Reasons Why It's Actually Healthier To Be Single

In theory, having a significant other translates to having a built-in workout buddy. In reality, though, single people tend to exercise more than their married counterparts. A study published in Journal of Marriage and Family (via Psychology Today) found that people who had never been married exercised the most, followed by those who were divorced or separated. The study, which was based on data collected from more than 13,000 American men and women who ranged in age from 18 to 64, found that men who had always been single spent, on average, eight minutes and three seconds exercising over the course of two weeks. Single women, on the other hand, spent five hours and 25 minutes exercising over the same period of time.

Married men, however, spent just four hours and 47 minutes exercising, while married women spent a solid four hours exercising. While exercising more doesn't automatically translate to better health, people who engage in regular exercise lower their risk for many ailments including depression, anxiety, cardiovascular disease, and certain cancers, as noted by the CDC.

While it can be nice to cuddle up to someone at night, having the entire bed to yourself is also pretty phenomenal. When you're single, you don't have to worry about someone stealing the covers, putting their cold feet on you, or snoring throughout the night. That may be why so many people prefer to sleep alone — even if they're in a relationship. A survey conducted by the Better Sleep Council found that 26 percent of married couples reported sleeping better when they slept separately and more than half of surveyed couples — 63 percent — reported sleeping most of the night separated. It's no wonder, then, that single people sleep longer than those in relationships, according to a survey by AmeriSleep.

Of course, sleep has a huge impact on your health. As noted by Healthline, getting less than the recommended seven to nine hours of sleep per night can lead to myriad problems including memory issues, weakened immunity, high blood pressure, and an increased risk of heart disease and diabetes. The next time you get into bed alone, you'll be able to sprawl out in the center of the mattress without complaint and take comfort in knowing you're going to get a good night's sleep.

Those looking for a creative boost might want to consider the single life. According to two separate studies (via Medical News Today), not having a significant other can not only result in a boost in productivity but also a surge of creativity.

Why? As Kelly Campbell, the co-author of a study on creativity published in the Journal of Family Issues told Mic, a possible explanation is "that being creative in the arts gives people meaning and purpose in life." As creative pursuits "are often intensely personal and solitary," it makes sense that those who are single would be more likely to engage in such activities.

This might not seem like such a big benefit to those who don't consider themselves to be particularly creative, but partaking in creative activities can improve your health. You don't have to learn to play the piano or write a novel to reap these benefits, either. As noted by Forbes, even something as simply as coloring in an adult coloring book can be enough to get those creative juices flowing which, in turn, "improves brain function, mental health, and physical health."

Unmarried women typically live longer than their married counterparts, Howard S. Friedman, psychology professor at the University of California, revealed to CBS News. Women who leave unhappy marriages also have longer lifespans. This longevity doesn't apply to men, though. Married men actually live longer than single men, while men who get divorced often experience a "downward spiral," according to the publication.

As Paul Dolan, a behavioral scientist and professor at the London School Economics, explained (via The Guardian), men reap more benefits from marriage because after they tie the knot they "calm down" and "take less risks." Women, however, typically die sooner if they get married.

While many people may be tempted to feel sorry for women who never marry or have kids, they shouldn't. Not only is a single, childfree lifestyle a valid choice, it's actually one that's good for women's mental and physical health. Dolan revealed, "The healthiest and happiest population subgroup are women who never married or had children."

Dating can be stressful. Relationships can be stressful. Perhaps that's why people who choose the single life have less stress in general. As relationship expert Susan Winter told Time, "Believe it or not, relationships are 'mentally' expensive." She further revealed that they take up "a lot of space in our heads." People in relationships spend a lot of time worrying, whether it's about the state of their relationship or just "fear for [their partner's] health and well being."

A study published in the Journal of Gerontology: Social Sciences (via Psychology Today) found that older people who had never been married reported less stress than those who had been divorced or widowed. Stress does more than just wear you out mentally and emotionally. Per the Mayo Clinic, stress can also affect your body and your behavior.

Common ailments caused by stress include headaches, chest pain, stomachaches, fatigue, and depression. An unmanaged stress can lead to all sorts of health problems, including high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes.

People who live on their own typically weigh less than their coupled-up counterparts. According to a study published in the Journal of Family Issues (via CNN Health), single people were found to have a lower body mass index (BMI) than those who are married or cohabiting. While weight and BMI are not necessarily indicators of health — people with a higher BMI can be perfectly healthy — higher BMIs are often linked to several chronic health conditions including diabetes and heart disease.

But, why do married people usually weigh more? Jay Teachman, the study's author and a sociologist at Western Washington University, postulated that the reason married people tend to have a higher BMI is that they are more likely than single people to cook and eat together. Single people, on the other hand, may feel pressured to have a slimmer body because they are "likely more concerned about how they look because they are in the dating market."

Single people may weigh less, but that doesn't necessarily translate to healthy eating. As noted by Time, another study showed that people who eat on their own tend to eat foods that aren't as healthy and eat fewer fruits and veggies.

When you don't have a significant other, you have a lot more free time to not only explore your own interests and hobbies but to give back to the community as well. Research shows that people who are single are more likely to lend a helping hand than those who are married. As noted by Psychology Today, single people are more likely to help friends and neighbors with things like running errands, yard work, or giving someone a ride. They're also more likely to dole out helpful advice and provide emotional support for people in their social networks, as well as engage in volunteer work.

How does helping others help you? Giving back is good for your physical and mental health, as noted by Help Guide. Helping other people can provide you with a sense of purpose and improve your self confidence. It can also reduce stress and combat depression. Volunteering has also been linked to a lower mortality rate. Additionally, older people who volunteer their time tend to be more physically active and "are less likely to develop high blood pressure, and have better thinking skills."