5 Benefits of Being Single and How to Savor a Solo Lifestyle

5 Perks of Being Single

This time of year, it can seem like the whole world is paired up and celebrating the joys of coupledom. But despite what the romance-industrial complex would have you believe, not everyone is part of a pair. In fact, there are more than 126 million single people in the United States—that's nearly half of all adults, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

For singles, it can be easy to suffer from a major case of FOMO (fear of missing out). But the truth is that a solo lifestyle has its advantages. In this season of celebrating love, here are five benefits of being single.

People Who Are Single…

Get More Sleep

Single people average 7.13 hours of slumber a night compared to married folks, who clock in just 6.71 hours a night, according to a survey of 2,000 people conducted by mattress and bedding company Amerisleep. Research suggests that quality of sleep has an impact on mood, with better sleep being associated with better mood.

Have Less Debt

Married people carry an average of $112,627 in total debt, more than double that of singles who average $51,264 of debt, according to an Experian survey. In particular, singles have less credit card and personal loan debt than those who have tied the knot.

This is good news for those living the solo lifestyle, since studies suggest being in debt can negatively affect your mental health, making you vulnerable to higher levels of stress and depression.

Are More Likely to Exercise

In a large Polish study published in the journal PeerJ, single people were almost 70% more likely to meet the World Health Organization’s physical activity recommendations than their married counterparts. According to the researchers, those with a single lifestyle were much more likely to run, lift weights, engage in recreational sports, walk, and bike than married people.

Are Social Butterflies

People who are single tend to have a wider social network than their married counterparts. Good news, since research suggests that having a social support network can have a big impact on both physical and mental well‑being. Studies also show that social connections help reduce the risk of many significant health problems, including high blood pressure, an unhealthy body mass index (BMI), and depression.

Make Self-Care a Priority

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, when stress caused by uncertainty and social isolation increased, single people were able to shift their focus to pursuits that boosted their mental health and well‑being. According to Match.com’s Singles in America study, there were multiple benefits of being single when it comes to self-care:

• 72% of singles got better at prioritizing important things in their lives
• 66% got better at caring for their mental health
• More than 50% made improvements in their physical health and increased their self-confidence

How to Savor the Single Lifestyle

Singlehood isn't just some way station on the road to couplehood; it's a status that deserves to be acknowledged and relished in its own right. The time you spend alone can lead to tremendous self-discovery, better choices, and even life-changing plans.

Jenny Taitz, Psy.D., a clinical psychologist and author of How to Be Single and Happy, suggests ways to maximize the moment, whether you are looking for a relationship down the road, are casually dating, or simply prefer the single lifestyle:

• Use your solo time to zero in on who you are and reflect on what really matters to you. It’s a great time to work toward pursuing your dreams and ticking off items on your bucket list. If you want to go to Tahiti but thought it was only for honeymooners, you might be passing up the vacation of your life.
• Enjoy the opportunity to make decisions on your own terms. Singlehood gives you the freedom to choose what you want to do and when to do it. Now’s the time to get to those passion projects you’ve been putting off, like creating a podcast, starting a jewelry-making side hustle, or taking up Tuscan cooking.
• Know that the margin of happiness between single and married people is razor-thin. Focus on the present and what brings you joy now. The more self-content you are, the more it will shine through and attract others into your orbit.
• Incorporate mindfulness into your daily life with loving-kindness meditation—the process of directing feelings of caring and goodwill toward yourself and others. Even five to 15 minutes a day of sending good vibes to friends and loved ones can increase feelings of gratitude, compassion, contentment, and life satisfaction.