5 Benefits Of Staying Single That Are All Backed By An Expert
OK, it turns out being single isn't all that bad.
According to a presentation by Bella DePaulo, PhD at the American Psychological Association's 124th Annual Convention, single people may have a leg up on married people when it comes to certain benefits. Apparently, singles generally live more fulfilling lives than those in marriages.
DePaulo, a scientist at the University of California, Santa Barbara who's studied single life for almost 20 years, said in a statement: "The preoccupation with the perils of loneliness can obscure the profound benefits of solitude."
What does that mean? Well, supposedly we single folks can be a little too wrapped up in all the things we don't have. By doing so, we often miss out on all the advantages we have without a significant other to hold us back.
Singles generally live more fulfilling lives than those in marriages.
The variety of findings surprised DePaulo (and me, too, to be honest) because for years, we've been told married life is way more beneficial than single life. According to DePaulo, married people are federally protected in more than 1,000 ways, after all.
But nowadays, about half of all marriages end in divorce, says the CDC.
So what exactly are the benefits of being single, according to DePaulo? Let's take a look:
1. Single people have a "heightened sense of self-determination."
Which basically means they're more likely to do things they love and stay motivated to do those things.
2. ...As well as "a sense of continued growth and development as a person."
Hey, I can attest to this. I have been single for what seems like forever, but I've also learned a hell of a lot about myself. In fact, I'd even say I'm scared to enter a relationship because I don't want to stall the growth.
3. Single people are less likely to have negative emotions.
Because they're only relying on themselves. The study also found that one or people in a married couple deal with things by themselves, they experience negative emotions.
4. Single people are more likely to stay in touch with their siblings, friends and parents.
Because when couples get married, they kind of forget about the rest of the world and only have eyes for each other.
5. Single people can drink more.
OK, so this wasn't from DePaulo, but I just reported it this morning and it's the most important one! Single don't have spouses monitoring their alcohol intake. And no one wants to be babied, right?
