10 Reasons Being Single Is Good For Women's Mental Health

10 Life-Changing Perks Of Being Single For A Long Time — Photo by Joshua Rawson-Harris on Unsplash

I am single. Did reading that make you feel sad? Well, it shouldn’t! Despite what society thinks, being single is a surefire way to live a full and meaningful life. Don’t believe me? Scroll down to see why being single is good for women’s mental health.

1. You become independent in the true sense of the word.

While one can be both committed and independent, a lot of us tend to rely on our partners for certain things. When you are single, you are pretty much compelled to become self-reliant. And few things are as amazing as knowing you can handle anything life throws at you all by yourself.

2. You are free to focus on whatever you want out of life.

Since you’re not tied down to a partner, you can do what you want, whenever you want. So whether that means exploring new passions, pursuing hobbies, or simply taking life as it comes, it’s all up to you. Isn’t it fun to be able to make spontaneous plans without having to consult anyone?

3. You become more self-aware.

It’s easy to lose yourself in a relationship, it happens to the best of us. Luckily, you’re single, and the longer you stay that way, the more you get to know who you truly are. The reason is simple: instead of spending time getting to know a girl or guy, you are devoting those very hours to getting to know yourself. Isn’t your time better invested this way?

4. You learn to value and love yourself.

You know your strengths, celebrate your struggles, and are aware of how far you have come despite your shortcomings and circumstances. Although it is a long, grueling process, you learn to love yourself. About time, right? After all, you are the only person who is with you constantly, and nobody will ever get you as you do.

5. You refuse to settle.

You respect yourself enough not to lower your standards or pretend to be someone else just to be with someone. Even on occasions when you feel lonely, you are willing to wait because you know what you want. And if you don’t find anyone, you know you have always got yourself. Since you are comfortable spending time with yourself, you are not afraid of being alone.

6. You stop caring about what people think of you.

Since many humans are unabashedly nosy and love to gossip, you often get pestered about why you are *still* all by yourself. Over time, you care lesser and lesser about their opinions – not just about your love life, but everything in general.

7. You sleep like a baby.

Surprising, right? One might think that having a partner to cuddle with equals sound sleep, but in reality, singles sleep better. According to studies, unattached peeps sleep more hours than those who are in a relationship, married, widowed, divorced, or separated.

8. You say goodbye to forced relationships.

When you’re with someone, you have to be on good terms with their family and friends. Obviously, you are not going to like some of them, but you will have to be polite to them nevertheless. Isn’t it refreshing that you no longer have to be civil with folks you can barely tolerate? Even better, you can now spend time with those whose company you actually enjoy.

9. You are in better shape than ever.

It’s a known fact: people in romantic relationships tend to put on weight. There’s even a term for it – relationship weight gain. Luckily, you have nothing to worry about. Research says singles get more exercise and are therefore far more physically fit than those who are married or in a committed relationship.

10. You don’t put yourself in a box.

You don’t get bogged down by labels – in fact, they have no power over you. You know you are not defined by stuff like your job title, relationship status, and the number of things you own. Ergo, you have managed the near-impossible feat of getting out of your own head and living without regrets. Dull moments are a rarity as you are always up for new experiences.

Single women are clearly happier than married women. It’s why behavioral scientist Paul Dolan said, “If you’re a man, you should probably get married. If you’re a woman, don’t bother.”