How spending time alone makes our lives better
Miscellaneous / / July 31, 2021
It's a good way to relax, deal with stress, and understand yourself better.
We are almost constantly surrounded by people: colleagues, family, friends, casual acquaintances, doctors, teachers. There is little time left to retire and do something pleasant or interesting. But it's worth fixing it.
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Why spend time alone
1. It helps fight stress.
This was reported by participants in a small study conducted by Garry Walz, Dr. Jeanne R. Bleuer Exploring the Role of Time Alone in Modern Culture / American Counseling Associationat Shawnee University (USA). They were asked how they felt about solitude and how much it helps or hinders them in life.
The respondents were unanimous: they noted that loneliness is important. It not only helps relieve stress, but also gives you the opportunity to better understand yourself, solve problems more effectively, and be more productive.
And psychologists remindNot Getting Enough Time Alone Can Be a Problem / Psychology Todaythat not having enough time for yourself can be dangerous.
Bella de Paulo
Psychologist, TEDx speaker. Quoted from Psychology Today article.
People who don't spend enough time alone experience more stress and frustration. They feel, on average, more depressed than those who have enough privacy.
We are very different, so it is important to find your balance between communication and silence. He will make us healthier and happier.
2. It makes us more creative.
Researchers from the University of Buffalo in the United States surveyedJulie C. Bowkera Miriam, T. Stotskyb, Rebecca G. Etkinb, How BIS / BAS and psycho-behavioral variables distinguish between social withdrawal subtypes during emerging adulthood / Personality and Individual Differences 295 students and revealed an interesting pattern. If a person is left alone with himself forcibly, without much desire, it is more difficult for him to be creative, to come up with something new, generate ideas. And vice versa. For those who love loneliness, it helps to be more creative.
In principle, psychologists often say 1. 6 Reasons You Should Spend More Time Alone / Psychology Today
2. 7 Science ‑ Backed Reasons You Should Spend More Time Alone / Forbes that creativity and solitude are closely related.
Amy Maureen
Psychotherapist. Quoted from a Forbes article.
When we are alone with ourselves, we have the opportunity to get bored, wander through the labyrinths of the mind, and this helps to be born new ideas and to approach problem solving more creatively.
3. It helps to recuperate.
Communication is tiresomeSointu Leikas, Ville-Juhani Ilmarinen. Happy Now, Tired Later? Extraverted and Conscientious Behavior Are Related to Immediate Mood Gains, but to Later Fatigue / Journal of personality. Relaxing alone is perhaps the best way to recharge and reboot. And for both extroverts and introverts.
After a survey of 18 thousand respondents, it turned outHow being alone may be the key to rest / BBCthat for the most part it is solitude in one form or another that helps to restore strength. For example, reading or playing with pets seems more relaxing to people than talking to loved ones.
4. It gives room for introspection.
Solitude helps you get to know yourself betterHow Important Is Alone Time for Mental Health / Verywellmind.
Kendra Cherry
Psychosocial Rehabilitation Specialist. Quoted from the Verywell Mind article.
Regularly spending time alone with oneself, a person can isolate himself from the influence of society, immerse himself in his thoughts and feelings.
It also allows you to reflect on recent events, take a fresh look at difficult situations and come up with interesting solutions.
5. It helps you become more empathic.
Again, this is due to the fact that a person who has time for introspection and a calm detached appraisal motives of other people, understands other people's emotions better than someone who does not have time to step aside and how to think.
There is even researchAbsence and Presence of Human Interaction: The Relationship Between Loneliness and Empathywho say that single people are in many ways more empathic than those who prefer to be constantly in society.
How to spend time alone with yourself
Loneliness is so difficult for many that even pleasant things becomeRebecca K. Ratner, Rebecca W. Hamilton. Inhibited from Bowling Alone / Journal of Consumer Research a burden if there is no company.
Yes, at first it can be unusual and uncomfortable. But try to treat this not as torture, but as an opportunity to get to know yourself better, gain strength and fresh ideas.
Here's what it recommendsThings To Do By Yourself / Verywellmind psychosocial rehabilitation specialist Kendra Cherry.
1. Stay alone with yourself regularly
Nobody will tell you the exact time, but even 15-30 minutes every day is not bad.
2. Plan your vacation
Think about what gives you pleasure and relaxation, and bring such things into diary.
It can be:
- Going to a cafe, to the cinema or to a play.
- Walk outdoors. They are helpingKnapp, Clifford E., Ed.; Smith, Thomas E., Ed. Exploring the Power of Solo, Silence, and Solitude / Association for Experiential Education choose priorities and put your thoughts in order.
- Journey. At least to a neighboring city or even a district.
- Visiting of museum.
- Drawing, coloring, needlework.
- Warm salt bath, face mask, body wrap and other amenities.
3. Get rid of distractions
Try not to use social media or flip through the news if you feel that it does not help you properly rest and relax. In addition, put your phone and all chats, except for the most necessary ones, on silent mode, turn on a cartoon for the children and ask your loved ones not to bother you.
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