7 Scientifically Proven Reasons Why You Should Spend More Time Alone
Being happy alone as a real superpower. Those who have always enjoyed being alone know about the powerful energy that "me time" can release. For many, these moments of solitude eventually become a precious luxury. Still others fear it and can hardly imagine a life without the company of others. Now, however, it has been scientifically proven: Regular phases of pleasurable solitude can have an extremely positive effect on our mental and physical health. But that's not all: in this article, we'll show you the seven most remarkable benefits that quality time alone can bring.
1. Time alone increases our productivity.
It's actually logical and obvious, yet it’s now backed up with scientific facts: We get more done when we're not distracted by other people. The presence of family members, partners, children or other people may be nice, good and inspiring, but for our productivity it is clearly an advantage if we are allowed to spend enough time without distraction from outside. The trend towards open-plan offices and open workplaces that is currently happening in the professional world therefore works exactly against this insight. People need a minimum amount of privacy to do their job to the best of their ability. It is almost a luxury to be able to read and perhaps even answer an e-mail without interruption. The situation becomes particularly difficult for our ability to concentrate when we have to work with numbers or perform other activities that require accuracy and precision. Constant interruptions or permanent background noise cannot help but distract us and thus open the door to errors.
2. Resilience and mental strength are trained.
Regular doses of self-imposed solitude are invaluable for maintaining our mental health. Our minds, as well as our souls, need a break in between to process what we've experienced. Those who are exposed to as many stimuli on a daily basis as the modern working person, need to continually shut down their systems in order to reboot them. The power of silence is the only way here to quickly and efficiently refill our depleted batteries and recover from the hustle and bustle of our daily lives. Important, the golden rule applies here as well: the power lies in repetition. It is not enough to take an hour off every two weeks, 15 minutes every day would be a better and healthier choice. The more, the stronger the recovery effect would be, of course. All our senses are fit again afterwards and ready to face the world outside again. Short phases of regeneration therefore ensure that we are better and more attentive again, not only for ourselves, but also for our family and job.
3. You’re setting a good example for kids.
A surprising benefit of spending time alone is the example it sets for your kids. Studies have shown that children of parents who seem to leave a lot of time uncluttered with external noise have better manners. These children shine with good manners compared to others and are better able to behave in the presence of others. The reason for this is that parents pass on the message that time is not necessarily always to be filled to the brim with activities. In this way, children learn to be bored once in a while, which unintentionally ensures more peace and relaxation in the children's room. As a result, the offspring are more balanced and in control of their temperament.
4. We become more empathetic.
A clear benefit to those around us is the strengthening of our empathic side when we are allowed to be alone occasionally. So those around us benefit directly from allowing us to rest and get away from each other in between times. Empathy is an amazing mechanism that seems to work without any training or learning processes, but it urgently needs creative breaks. We need to be able to process what we have experienced and organize our thoughts in peace so that we are fit for social interactions again the next day. Time alone also helps us think about people and their stories. Occasionally, we even discover a possible solution to their problems in the process and can offer them real assistance. By using moments of silence to review what we have experienced, we gain information and a wealth of knowledge that in turn can only benefit those around us
5. You get to know yourself better.
Many people loathe spending time alone with themselves for a single reason. They would then be forced to deal directly with their own life and person. Many unpalatable truths would come to light of this kind. Many nagging questions would nibble at our subconscious until we finally gave them the time they crave. Spending time alone is an important learning process, which unfortunately can also be very painful. Our thoughts finally have opportunities to gallop off in all directions at will and so we involuntarily chase them from one to the next. But the acquaintance we make so unintentionally - namely, ourselves - can also be a most pleasant one. We may even realize that we are much more self-reliant and independent than we thought. Maybe we like living alone and discover that company is not automatically a good thing.
6. Making plans comes easier to us.
When the mental cinema has free rein, plans and ideas are allowed to come to life in our mind's eye to our heart's content. The best thoughts often come to us alone, usually during activities that are anything but creative or stimulating. And many issues then practically solve themselves. We recognize plans we would still like to experience and which milestones are still absolutely necessary for us to achieve in life.
7. Our creativity can unfold.
A beautiful aspect of being alone is the invitation it sends to our creative side. In addition to bold and imaginative ideas, we often feel the need to engage in creative activities when we are alone. This occupation is one of the oldest forms of human expression and is therefore in our genes. To be allowed to follow these impulses and to live them out artistically is virtually a basic right and the greatest luxury at the same time. To let off steam artistically, musically, literarily or otherwise is pure relaxation and also provides us with an abundance of valuable experiences of success, which put our psyche in high spirits and invigorate us with a great deal of positive energy.
Today’s Conclusion
The gift of silence. Those who fear loneliness should learn to be alone as soon as possible. You can cultivate it and incorporate it into your daily routine just as you would any other routine or habit. Sooner or later, we will find ourselves in a situation where the children are out of the house and our partner is no longer around. The sooner we debunk the specter of loneliness and instead see it as a great opportunity, the better. Moments of solitude give us strength for ourselves, but also for others. They enhance our potential and help us bring out the best in ourselves. Silence provides mental strength and keeps our psyche in balance. If you master being alone brilliantly, being alone with all its surprises cannot throw you off track so quickly. The saying "silence is golden" should be understood absolutely literally.