What Is Self-Preservation and How Does It Relate to Living Single?

Is it true that single life creates a different self-preservation experience compared to married life?

Self-preservation refers to the instinctive and intentional actions people take to protect their physical, emotional, and psychological well-being. For many individuals, living single can provide a clearer path to understanding and practicing self-preservation. When you are single, you typically have fewer daily responsibilities toward others, which allows more time to reflect on your future, set goals, and focus on personal growth. This freedom can strengthen your ability to care for yourself, manage challenges, and stay aware of your internal and external environments.

But how is single life different from married life with children?

Chan (2024) offers insights that support the idea that both single individuals and married individuals experience self-preservation, but in different ways. Chan describes a married woman who finds self-preservation through a brief moment of solitude—sitting quietly with a hot cup of tea before her husband and children return home. This short personal ritual provides her with a sense of peace and mental clarity before she resumes her family responsibilities (Chan, 2024).

According to Chan (2024), self-preservation is an innate biological instinct rooted in survival. All living beings rely on self-preservation to protect themselves from harm and sustain their well-being. For single individuals, this might mean having uninterrupted time for personal reflection and decision-making. For married individuals, especially those who carry most of the caregiving responsibilities, self-preservation may require intentionally carving out moments of solitude amidst constant demands.

Family dynamics can influence how self-preservation is practiced. A married mother, for example, may experience more frequent interruptions or competing priorities, making it harder to focus on her own needs. Meanwhile, her spouse or children may not share the same level of responsibility, giving them more natural opportunities for self-preservation.

Ultimately, both single and married people practice self-preservation, but the circumstances, pressures, and available time differ. Being single may create more space for personal growth, while married life, especially with children, requires deliberate effort to maintain personal well-being.

Yes. My argument is that living single strengthens self-preservation more than married life, because single individuals generally have fewer external responsibilities and more uninterrupted time to focus on their personal needs, goals, mental health, and future planning. This increased autonomy allows them to recognize challenges earlier, prepare for obstacles, and protect their emotional and psychological well-being without the competing demands of caring for a spouse or children.

Comparing Chan (2004) and the Bible suggestions for self-preservation can look like any number of things like the following:

Chan (2024)	Bible
Setting Boundaries	Knowing Your Purpose in Life
Practicing Self-Care	Philippians 4:9 - Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. James 1:22 “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.” Matthew 7:24 “Therefore, whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:”
Adopting Healthy Coping Mechanism	Isaiah 41:10 “Fear thou not; for I am with thee be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”
Taking breaks at work	Ecclesiasticus 6:37 “Let thy mind be upon the ordinances of the Lord and meditate continually in his commandments: he shall establish thine heart and give thee wisdom at thine owns desire.”
Avoiding Certain people or Social Situations You’ve had negative experiences with	Philippians 4:8 - Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

 Self-preservation is not only a physical, psychological, and sociological matter, but it is also a spiritual matter. Understanding differences between matters provides the development of personal well-being. The difference between the two is that spiritual matters deal with hope, whereas the physical, psychological, and sociological sciences deal with biological matters. There is a difference between biological and spiritual matter.

Self-Preservation of the Body (Biological Matter)

This is the natural, physical instinct to protect your body and stay alive.

How It Works

• Fight-or-flight response (danger = survive).

• Hunger, thirst, sleep—your body fights for survival needs.

• Avoiding harm (injury, sickness, danger).

• Pain signals (body warning you to protect yourself).

• Immune system defending against threats.

In Simple Terms

Your body tries to keep you alive by warning you, protecting you, and pushing you toward safety and health

LDS Perspective

The body is a sacred gift from God (1 Corinthians 6:19; Alma 40).Self-preservation of the body helps you fulfill your mortal mission and prepare for resurrection.

Self-Preservation of the Spirit (Spiritual Matter)

This refers to the eternal, moral, and spiritual protection of the soul.

How It Works

• Avoiding spiritual danger (sin, temptation, harmful influences).

• Seeking light, truth, and righteousness.

• Protecting your peace, faith, and purpose.

• Repentance as spiritual healing.

• Prayer, scripture study, and service to strengthen the spirit.

• Setting boundaries to protect spiritual well-being.

In Simple Terms

Your spirit tries to stay close to God, protect your eternal identity, and avoid anything that harms your soul.

LDS Perspective

According to D&C 131:7–8, the spirit is real matter—refined and eternal.Spiritual self-preservation protects:

• Your eternal destiny

• Your agency

• Your relationship with God

• Your ability to qualify for exaltation

The Holy Ghost guides spiritual self-preservation by warning you and bringing peace.

🟦 Key Differences: Body vs. Spirit Self-Preservation

Body (Biological Matter)	Spirit (Spiritual Matter)
Protects physical life	Protects eternal life
Instinctive (fight or flight)	Moral, emotional, spiritual discernment
Needs food, rest, safety	Needs prayer, peace, truth, repentance
Fears physical harm	Fears spiritual harm (sin, darkness, losing purpose)
Temporary (mortal)	Eternal (continues after death)
Uses physical senses	Uses spiritual senses (Holy Ghost, conscience)

✅ One-Sentence Summary

Self-preservation of the body protects your mortal life, while self-preservation of the spirit protects your eternal life and relationship with God.

References

Chan, K. (2024, August 24). Why Self-Preservation Is Key to Protecting Your Peace Every Day. Very Well Mind. https://www.verywellmind.com/self-preservation-8692970