Do single people age quickly? There are more dangers than this (Don’t read if you are single)

During the Mid-Autumn Festival, when the whole family is reunited, are you being besieged by your aunts and uncles?

"Are you dating?"

"Why aren't you married yet?"

…

Don't be annoyed, you will receive 10,000 critical hits when traveling during the National Day holiday:

"Can I change seats, please? I want to sit with my girlfriend."

"This set meal is for two people, one person is free"

…

Oh, dogs are abused during every festive season!

Data from the Ministry of Civil Affairs shows that my country's single adult population has reached 240 million, and more than 77 million of them live alone. It is estimated that by 2021, the number of people living alone will rise to 92 million.

The large number of single people not only brings about social problems that cannot be ignored, but also causes harm to physical health that cannot be underestimated.

Aren’t you sent by my parents to urge me to get married?

It’s unfair. I’m really worried about your health!

A person's life is easy and free, without having to accommodate others, worry about food and clothing, family matters, or endure the pain of a broken heart... In short, don't be too happy!

In today's world where individualism prevails, more and more people are advocating and worshipping singleness. However, in reality, being single may not be as good as you think!

A study published in Psychology and Aging by researchers at Duke University in the United States showed that romantic relationships are related to physiological aging, that is, single people age faster than those in love.

The study was based on a survey of 1,037 participants. By studying their love experiences at the ages of 26, 32, 38, and 45, and collecting their weight index, cardiopulmonary function, facial aging, etc. at these stages, the relationship between love and aging was analyzed. The results showed that:

Among the four age stages, if you are in a relationship only in one stage or have never been in a relationship, your biological age will be 2.9 years older than others!

Therefore, the researchers speculate that good intimate relationships help individuals regulate stress and are good for health.

The same is true for social relationships. Many studies have shown that good social relationships are positively correlated with health. Love, as one of the strongest and most intimate emotional relationships among humans, has an even more significant impact on health.

On the contrary, bad or violent relationships can exacerbate aging, and physical violence can cause more severe aging than psychological violence.

In other words, high-quality love makes people younger, while low-quality love makes people older.

Staying single can certainly avoid the risk of meeting the wrong person and achieve the goal of "one person feeds the whole family", but being single also has many "side effects".

Higher levels of anxiety and depression: According to psychologist Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, when survival needs and safety needs are met, individuals will begin to develop social needs for love, affection, and belonging. [1]

When people live in society, if they lack the need for social interaction, they will experience emotions such as confusion and hesitancy, which will lead to anxiety and depression.

Higher risk of cardiovascular death: A study published in the journal Heart found that being single can be deadly. Single people are at higher risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke, and have a higher overall mortality rate than married people. [2]

This study suggests that relying on a committed partner for care and support can improve health, so marital status may be an indicator of heart health.

Higher prevalence of dementia: A survey of more than 800,000 people aged 65 and over by the University College London Medical School showed that the incidence of Alzheimer’s disease in lifelong single people was 42% higher than that in married people. [3]

Cancer patients have lower survival rates: Norwegian scientists reviewed and analyzed the records of 440,000 cancer patients and found that the mortality rate of unmarried patients increased from 18% to 35% for males and from 17% to 22% for females compared with patients who were divorced or widowed. [3]

The reason is that marital status affects treatment methods and rehabilitation environment, thereby affecting treatment outcomes.

To put it simply, single people are more likely to die from cancer.

After seeing this, if you are still single, are you panicking?

From the above aspects, it is not very friendly to singles, but there is no need to worry too much. Because if you want to reduce the risk of the above hazards through love or marriage, the premise is that these relationships are positive, active and comfortable.

Being in a bad relationship may be even more harmful. After all, when you see your old man dancing with other old ladies in the square, you may get a heart attack even if you are not sick! So, when a suitable person appears, start a sweet relationship happily; if not, don't be anxious or worried, and don't be swayed by external voices. It's also good to enjoy the free life at the moment.

Love and marriage are not necessary paths in life. Everyone has their own pursuits. The most important thing is to live your life well in the present.

References:

1. China News Network: "Experts' analysis of "single people have shorter life expectancy than married people": reliable". 2014-04-17

2. Metz Medical: "China has 240 million single adults! Are single people in danger?" 2020-10-30

3. Beijing News: "Are singles more likely to suffer from Alzheimer's? No need to worry too much". 2017-07-21