Five tangible benefits of being single: From keeping fit to job satisfaction and sleeping better

Next time your auntie Sue asks why you haven't got a boyfriend or girlfriend yet, this is what to say

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Time was when being single was considered failing in life - but society has changed and it's now something to celebrate.

Not only is singledom no longer pitiable, but for a lot of people it’s preferable.

Being single allows you to be selfish in the best possible way - you can focus on yourself, your goals and what really makes you happy.

In recent years, science has proven that there really are many benefits to being single, just as society has realised not all singletons are tragic Bridget Joneses, crying into our wine glasses, desperate for a boyfriend to complete us.

Increasingly, research is suggesting that some of us just aren’t suited to relationships - a New Zealand study from 2015 found that people who tend to avoid conflict and confrontation were happier single than in a relationship.

Because as many singletons know, you can be totally fulfilled and happy without having an ‘other half’ - in fact, many of us feel completely whole in our single state.

Here are five very real benefits to being single

1. You’ll have closer friendships

Ever had a friend basically fall off the face of the planet when they get a new boyfriend or girlfriend, only to come back into your life once they break up? Exactly. Research shows that singletons have better relationships with their families, friends and neighbours.

2. You’ll be fitter

A study found that 73 per cent of Brits who fail to get the recommended 150 minutes of exercise per week are married - whether divorced or never married, singles are much more likely to keep fit. A 2013 study also found that happily married newlyweds are more likely to gain weight in the four years after tying the knot.

3. You’ll be more satisfied at work

When you’re single, you’re free to put as much time into your career as you like without feeling guilty, and if that’s what makes you happy in life, that’s great. Research even suggests that single people may enjoy their work more because they tend to value meaningful work more.

4. You’ll have more disposable income

Whether it’s train fares across the country to visit your significant other, presents for the in-laws or just more money spent on dinners out, being in a relationship can be a lot more expensive than being single. What’s more, a study has found that singletons tend to have less debt.

5. You’ll sleep better

With a bed to yourself, you no longer have to deal with someone else’s snoring, fighting over the duvet or mismatched bedtimes, resulting in a sound night’s sleep for you every night. And as everyone knows, when you sleep well, you’re more likely to be in a good mood the following day, which impacts positively on everything you do.

Of course, there are benefits to being in a relationship too, but being single isn’t something to wish away - it’s to be cherished.

You do you.