Get Married or Die...

Did you know that married men have a life expectancy that is about 10 years longer than men who have remained single all of their lives? This is a statistic that can get you thinking. 

One explanation: Single men live dangerously to compete with other young men for status, resources and, of course, women.   I can also suggest that, being single can be both exhausting and stressful.  Single people seem to stay out later, sleep less and engage in more un-healthy activities.  Lonliness also leads to mental health issues that can shorten your lifespan.  Ok, so this suggests to get a wife, a partner or at least a lot of friends... Married men live longer.

Further evidence for this data was apparent as I observed single and male social patterns at a Halloween party I recently attended.  It wasn't a large affair, there were about 6 couples and 6 singles. 

First, I have to give the married couples credit for leaving the house, many others in their situation were at home watching scary movies and trying to bore themselves to sleep.  Yet, as the night lingered on, one by one, the married people began to leave.  It really was relatively early (around 11pm was when they began their exit strategies).

Of note, though, the single people weren't leaving.  Well, why would we?  We don't have anywhere else to be, no real major obligations, so basically free to see if the night can possibly reward us with something more. The married people, on the other hand, had no real reason to stay (perhaps no real reason to be there in the first place, but that is a different story).

Once we had cleared out all of the married/engaged people, the party finally started to get interesting.  The conversations were more stimulating and we could relate to each better, producing a more satisfying connection.  As far as life expectancy goes, however, the married people were at home getting plenty of sleep,while us single people were contemplating which bar to go to(several local establishments were having halloween parties).  I ended up staying up really late, and being exhausted the next day.  No worries, though, sleeping through most of Sunday isn't a big deal when you live alone.

I do know of some marriages, however, that are so volatile and stressful, that the partners are indeed taking years off of their lives simply by perpetuating their awful relationships.  The stress of arguing and feeling trapped can be even more detrimental than engaging in the single life.

So, if you can't get a partner, get a life... have lots of friends to keep you happy and healthy.  Maintaining friends, however, can take quite a bit of effort as well.  I would prefer to just have one really really close friend... a girlfriend/wife, and then a handful of couples as friends...  In the meantime, the journey continues... thanks for reading.

MATCHMAKER TV
I am still looking for a qualified candidate to be the first guest on Muscatine Matchmaker TV.  Our staff will produce a video profile of you and then interview you at the channel nine studios.  Interested viewers will email the Matchmaker their dating information/photos/etc. If we find a 'Match' we will help organize the first contacts (phone call or email)  and help arrange a first date (if their seems to be chemistry).  Apply today!