I used to be petrified of going anywhere alone, thinking it would score me a one-way ticket to Loserville. After an extremely dependent relationship ended after I graduated college, I began to purposely push myself into solitude to get over the fear of loneliness.
Over time, I became comfortable with spending time alone, whether I was at home or out running errands. It turns out, being alone doesn’t make you a loser, it’s actually quite beneficial to your health. Here’s how:
In a group setting, it’s easy to lose your identity. You may just go with the flow and agree with your friends just because it’s easier. When you’re alone, you can focus on what you want to do without being persuaded by other people’s opinions.
During my alone time, I embrace the fact that all the choices are mine. I can pick the movie I want to see, and I can choose where to eat without worrying about someone else’s opinion.
Yes, being alone can make you smarter, but you’ll have to put in some work. Simply sitting around watching the latest episode of The Bachelorette probably won’t increase your intelligence. However, if you use your alone time to read, write, or listen to a podcast, you’ll likely be sharpening your brain.
Reading is a great way to spend time alone. Successful businessmen like Mark Cuban and Mark Zuckerberg purposely take time out of their schedules to be alone and read. Other high-profile business people use their alone time to create and analyze business strategies.
Taking even a few minutes away from your friends and family can relieve a bad mood. One study found that teens felt substantial relief in their depression after spending time alone. Being alone after a fight with another person can also allow you to take time to calm down, analyze the situation, and come up with a level-headed solution.
You may choose to take alone time to focus on your health. Whether it’s going for a walk or popping in a fitness DVD, doing something physical by yourself is a great way to keep healthy. By going solo, it’s your decision what activity to do, so you’re bound to end up doing something that makes you happy.
Mediation during alone time can also be positive for your health. Meditation has many great benefits, including increasing immune function and decreasing pain.
Mental health professionals are suggesting that everyone spends at least 20 minutes a day by themselves. While some people may need less or more, it’s more about the quality of the time spent alone than the quantity.
Spend your alone time doing things that make you happy. I like to turn on some John Mayer, zone out, and paint. The happiness you create in your alone time will inevitably spill over into the rest of your life.
Kati Jewell is a self-proclaimed spirit junkie who lives in Michigan. When she’s not on her boat with her husband and daughter, she can be found at yoga class or lost in a good book.
We’re so often told to live in the present, so much so we can sometimes…
“Daring to set boundaries is about having the courage to love ourselves even when we…
Self-pity is about believing you’re a victim of circumstances. Feeling sorry for yourself will not…
Does your job always just feel like a job? If you have a typical 40-hour…
“You feel worthy simply because you exist. You are you, and that’s enough a good…
I have an irrational fear of heights, many of us do, of course. But even…