Single Life

Are There Health Risks Associated With Being Single?

8:00 PM


Health Risks Associated With Being Single

Is there a link between health and relationships?

Yes, but with a lot of disclaimers. While a trend exists between your health and whether or not you are married or single, it’s not always true. Still, broadly speaking, the scale of better health and well-being tips in favor of married people.

With that said, finding a partner simply to improve health is not the answer. Instead, look for love and take proactive steps to keep the negative health effects of single life from undermining your health.

Here are some ways being single can affect your health for better or worse:

How Being Single Affects Your Health for the Worse

1. Mental Health

You are more likely to suffer from common neurosis like anxiety and depression because of a sense of isolation. You may feel lonely and vulnerable when you have nobody to talk to about your personal problems, chores, money. In worse case scenarios, single men and women are more likely to suffer from substance abuse issues as well as heart problems. You can get more information here about how alcohol, substance, or prescription drug abuse begins with self-medicating for underlying psychological issues.

As a single person, you may also be stigmatized as someone who is lonely and unhappy. This can lower self-esteem and create depression, especially if family and friends are constantly trying to persuade you to develop a relationship.

Mental health issues can also affect couples who are in a miserable relationship. However, couples who get along well with each other and less likely to feel overwhelmed by life’s challenges as they have someone who can help them navigate a personal crisis.

2. Financial pressures.

On average, single people with regular jobs face more financial challenges than a two-income household who can share expenses. Worrying about how to make ends meet or how to overcome a financial emergency can be a source of tremendous stress and anxiety for a single person.

Financial issues affect couples who live beyond their means. If more money is going out than coming in, then the benefits of two people bringing in more money into the house is nullified. In this case, there may be more arguments about money management.

3. Recovery from serious illnesses.

When a single person has to be hospitalized for an illness, they may not get the care they need after they return home. They are especially at risk for poor recovery if they have had surgery. Even if family or friends try to help through frequent visitation, the single person may still have to do many things on their own unless someone moves in until they recover.

By contrast, a married person will have family around them to carry the burden of household chores and to provide them with companionship and nursing assistance.


How Being Single Affects Your Health for the Better

1. Better weight management.

Married couples tend to be less concerned about maintaining their ideal body weight than single people. Since they are no longer under any kind of pressure to attract a new mate, they are less likely to be concerned about their appearance.

A study by the National Institute of Health (NIH) explains why married people tend to gain more weight than single people:

“Marriage involves social role obligations, which may influence body weight through their effects on dietary intake. Newly cohabiting partners share kitchens and meals, which encourages them to eat more regular and more elaborate meals than they had done prior to their relationship, facilitates their snacking, involves their sharing meals with each other’s communal circles, and often produces dietary convergence. Dietary changes such as these may affect partners’ caloric intakes and body weights.”

2. Single people exercise more.

You’re more likely to exercise regularly if you are single and show a greater interest in eating properly and following a healthy lifestyle. Even married couples who don’t have children are likely to exercise less.

Trends, Not Facts

It’s important to keep in mind that these are trends, not necessarily incontrovertible facts. While there have been many studies done on the health difference between single and married people, these are based on surveys and statistical data. In truth, there are too many variables in personalities and relationships to be able to come up with any conclusive results.

This article was made possible by site supporter Jenna B.



Hey, did you find this post helpful or entertaining? Please go ahead and share.
Share buttons on the left and at the bottom of the article. Big thanks!

Subscribe to About Life And Love by Email

Wait! I've got more stories for you...

18 comments

Trouble posting your comment in the box below? Please comment here instead.

  1. I can't agree with exercises - I do not exercise even if I'm single :D But you're right, every time when I get an allergy attack I have to care about myself without any help or ask my mom to help me but of course my mom won't live forever.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I agree that there are too many variables to make a conclusion about this question.

    ReplyDelete
  3. exercise - I'm addicted to it!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Great post!!
    kisses

    http://lestyledelapetiteblonde.blogspot.com.es

    ReplyDelete
  5. This was really interesting to read! There are both pros and cons to being single!
    But, I actually love being single, if i'm being honest! :P

    Florals&Smiles

    ReplyDelete
  6. Health risks happen for both singles and couples. When they do, for a couple, there is another person to take care of everything.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I do agree on the points dear! Great article! Good thing there are those positive articles too though about how to be happy as a single person and related stuff :)

    ♥ Chai Chen ♥ @chenmeicai
    ☆*。˚˚http://chenmeicai.blogspot.com˚˚。*☆

    ⓛ ⓞ ⓥ ⓔ ✰Recent Posts✰
    ✨ [FOOD] Ultimate Taste Test: Super Scoops Premium Vegan Ice Cream VLOG
    ✨ [LIFESTYLE] Can You Ditch Shampoo? #TakeAShowerWithUs with Hairstory New Wash
    ✨ [TECH] Why Oppo F1s is the Best Camera Phone to Capture Summer #OOTD Photos

    ReplyDelete
  8. ;D

    Não sabia disso tudo!

    Ótima terça!

    Beijo! ^^

    ReplyDelete
  9. Being in a relationship could lead to health problems, too, especially if you're in a bad relationship.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I've never thought about connecting health and relationship status before. I do see that relationship, single or married, could affect one's mental health. But as the article stated, there are too many variables to make any conclusion. It was an interesting read!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Very informative post, dear! xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  12. This was an interesting read, lady- thanks for sharing!

    -Ashley
    Le Stylo Rouge

    ReplyDelete
  13. Very interesting post. Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I think your disclaimer is important. There's no way being in a bad relationship is healthier than being single.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Very well written! I do understand about getting fit for a single person! Ever since I've joined the single group, I've been trying to be the fitter version of me !
    Love,
    Nilu Yuleena Thapa
    BIG hair LOUD mouth

    ReplyDelete
  16. There are benefits to be single and issues. But depends on the person or situation.

    ReplyDelete
  17. This was really interesting to read, Lux.
    But above all it is so important to love and to take care of yourself- no matter where or how you are in life- even if it is not easy!

    www.thepositivewindow.com

    ReplyDelete