7 Surprising Health Perks Of Staying Single, According To Research

Being in a relationship just to be in a relationship isn't a good enough reason, no matter how badly you need to feel "complete," or fill that facet of your life.

Astroglide's resident expert, Dr. Jess, says, "I don't believe that it's universally healthier to be single, just as it's not universally healthier to be in a relationship. What's healthy for you will depend on your unique situation — your age, relationship history, emotional health, social style, personal inclination, etc." So if you're flying solo and feeling the pressure to couple up, take a breath — science says there are actually some surprising upsides to staying single.

Here are 7 surprising health perks of staying single, according to research:

1. You move your body more often

woman exercising more because she's staying single TWOE / Shutterstock

You may have read headlines touting marriage as the cure-all for everything from heart disease to depression, but when you look more closely at some of the research, there's a strong body that suggests staying single can also be very good for your health.

"A study of 13,000 Americans aged 18 to 64 found that those who have never been married get more exercise than all other relationship categories (divorced/separated, married or widowed) regardless of age and gender.

Since exercise is positively correlated with a host of positive health measures including positive mood, high energy levels, favorable sleep patterns, improved cardiovascular fitness, and even intimate functioning, it seems that singles are onto something good!" says Dr. Jess.

2. You take better care of yourself

woman who is staying single taking better care of herself JLco Julia Amaral / Shutterstock

Dr. Jess says, "When you compare health data of currently married women to those who have always been single (never married), the results may vary.

For instance, in one study that looked at six health measures (overall health, chronic health conditions, acute conditions, number of days with restricted activities, days spent in bed because of health problems, and number of doctor visits), always-single women scored the same as married women on three measures and higher on the other three (overall health, bed disability days and doctors visits).

Singlism exists (just ask any single woman who attends a family function or wedding without a date) and it’s likely that researchers are confronted with similar biases."

In fact, a 2013 study in Health Psychology revealed that those who are married and happy are more likely to gain weight in the four years after getting married. Hence, the always-touted "letting themselves go" we hear about.

3. You nurture stronger social ties

man trying harder socially from staying single Studio Romantic / Shutterstock

"Some experts suggest that single people may be more resilient and may form stronger social networks than married people, as they may look for additional opportunities to socialize," says Dr. Jess.

4. You make healthier food choices

woman eating healthier by staying single Josep Suria / Shutterstock

"While there is plenty of science to back up the benefits of being in a relationship, being in an unhealthy, toxic, depressing, or divorce-doomed relationship is worse for both your mind and body.

Unhealthy and unhappy relationships can lead to a variety of hurtful habits and headspaces, including comfort feasting (eating everything and packing on the pounds because you need a "friend") and control fasting (using food avoidance as a way to control something, anything, in your life)," says dating coach and expert, Laurel House.

5. Your friendships last longer

woman with friendships that last longer because she stayed single MDV Edwards / Shutterstock

We may not intend for it to happen, but when we get married, many of our friendships fall to the sidelines. Your priority becomes your mate and your family.

That's fine, but the flip side is that single people are better at maintaining and keeping friendships, and thus, are better friends. If you have groups of important people in your life to count on, your life isn't as shattered if "the one" is no longer around.

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6. You experience less financial stress

woman who ended up with less debt by staying single ViDI Studio / Shutterstock

While money doesn't equate with health or happiness, debt is sure stressful. It turns out that single people tend to have less debt. If money problems are massive causes of stress, and stress causes death, this is a big one.

7. You become self-sufficient

woman who is self-sufficient from staying single fizkes / Shutterstock

If you're on your own, you learn how to relish quality time with yourself. The ability to exist independently and prosper is an important survival skill that those in couples don't always get to enjoy.

Aly Walansky is a NY-based lifestyle writer who focuses on health, wellness, and relationships. Her work appears in dozens of digital and print publications regularly.