Solitude may be one of the most underrated aspects of personal growth, creativity and improving mental health. Whether you’re a person who loves solitude for its own sake or one who usually loves company, a day alone can be beneficial for your personal growth. Solitude and being alone are not the same as being lonely. Having no company at all and being lonely are very bad for mental health and personal growth and these aspects are not included here. Here are some of the benefits of solitude:
Concentration and Focus
Solitude improves concentration and productivity. Being alone can allow you to think more clearly, which can lead to more creative solutions. When you’re in a crowded room with a bunch of people, it’s easy to get distracted by phone calls or caught up in the opinions of other people and to lose your focus. Solitude also helps you find your own voice, which can be hard to identify in a crowded office. It’s important to find your own voice when working or planning your life, and solitude can be a valuable way to do that.
Self Determination
A recent study sought to understand the importance of solitude to individuals by looking for the themes that people describe as beneficial. Participants’ self-described motivations for solitude were significantly higher among adults compared with adolescents, who are often happier in groups. These findings were consistent with other research that has focused on the importance of self-determination in solitude. It also found that individuals with the highest levels of self-determination were happier and healthier when spending time alone.
Revitalize Yourself
Even just ten minutes of solitude a day can revitalize you. Many people think that they don’t have the time for solitude: they don’t think they can find even ten minutes to spend alone for their own well-being. But those who are busier than ever need it more than ever. Solitude and personal development can be achieved, for instance, through meditation, journalling, hiking, or any other activity that allows you to be alone and focus on yourself. When spending time alone, turn off your cell phones and other distractions. This way, your energy can connect properly with you.
When it comes to work, it can be difficult to balance the demands of daily life with work. Deadlines and quality of work can result in burnout, which leaves us unable to produce creative work. But solitude can restore our creative juices. The result? Better entrepreneurship, higher productivity and better relationships.
Teens
A recent study of the psychological benefits of solitude in teenagers found that being alone for a while can lead to an increased sense of empathy and social connection. While the research involved small samples of adolescents, it was significant because it demonstrated that it is important to cultivate the right mindset to make the most of solitude. The benefits of solitude were overwhelmingly positive.
So, don’t underestimate the power of solitude for your health and happiness: get out of the office and enjoy the benefits of solitude today. It may be the best time of the day for you. If you’re interested in exploring the benefits of solitude, start here. For instance, you may want to journal your journey to happiness, or get some grumbles out of your head. Please note that these are affiliate links.
Alternatively you may prefer to listen to a meditation (not when driving or operating machinery) or listen to Gregorian chanting or perhaps use your time of solitude to catch up on sleep. or to listen to an audiobook about someone else’s experiences with solitude.