There are medical and psychological risks associated with remaining single for too long. The risks are usually higher for males than for females. Singleness if combined with social isolation over a long period of time may lead to a lack of social and mental exercises which in turn negatively affects person’s overall quality of health and longevity.
Related to our need for love, a study on babies in orphanages was conducted where it was concluded that babies would die if they were not held, caressed, and touched.
Below listed are some of the most obvious risks associated with being single for too long:
1. Depression
Depression is one of the major risks associated with remaining single for too long. Depression is usually marked by feelings of isolation and helplessness. As a single, you are more likely to fall into a depression as you may be feeling isolated and alone. As a result, the quality of your mental and physical health is likely to suffer as a result.
2. Medical consequences of singleness
Singleness if combined with social isolation over a long period of time may impact our health in ways comparable to the effects of lack of exercise, obesity and smoking. It may result in sleep disturbances and high blood pressure, thus increasing the risk for heart disease.
3. Decreased longevity for both men and women
Researchers concluded that men who never marry or who lose their mates from death or divorce and do not remarry will die much sooner than men who are married. No other risk factor will shorten a man’s life more than being single; but you almost never hear about being single as risk factor for premature death. Women who are single die sooner than married ones. Researches found that women who never marry or who lose their mates from death or divorce and do not remarry will die sooner than women who are married.
4. Increased risk for dementia
Researchers found that people living alone in middle age had twice the risk of dementia than those who were living with a partner. They confirm that those who had lost their partners and remained alone had the highest risk of developing Alzheimer’s. They say that living in a relationship with a partner might imply cognitive and social challenges that have a protective effect against cognitive impairment in later life.