Humans are social creatures with a biological need to interact with others. At the same time, it's crucial to learn how to endure and even enjoy being by yourself for extended periods of time, according to psychologist Heather Z. Lyons, PhD, who also owns Baltimore Therapy Group in Baltimore, Maryland.
Here are some strategies to spend more time alone yourself, whether it's required or not:
You have the opportunity to develop your relationship with yourself when you are by yourself. But doing this isn't always simple.
For a variety of reasons, being alone can be challenging for certain people, according to Lyons. "Take advantage of the discomfort to discover more about yourself. Consider what surfaces for you when you're by yourself."
You can accomplish this, for instance, by reflecting on or writing about your values, preferences, and present emotions.
In a significant 2020 study carried out in the UK, individuals responded to questionnaires regarding their general mental health and volunteering behaviors every two years from 1996 to 2014. In comparison to those who volunteered infrequently or never, those who volunteered at least once a month reported having improved mental health.
Additionally, you may accomplish this at home. In addition to donating money to a food bank, you can instruct students online, advises Tina B. Messina, PhD, LMFT, a psychotherapist in Long Beach, California.
Take the initiative to learn something new or hone a skill on your own. According to Lyons, "this can involve engaging in activities that call for executive functioning skills, like concentrate, like reading or producing."
Consider trying something new or enrolling in a video class at this time, advises Messina. "Think about doing something different than normal."
Being active can greatly contribute to happiness. According to psychiatrist Lela R. Magi, MD, "participating in a regular, focused stroll, or engaging in some type of physical activity, could ease anxiety."
A significant 2019 study discovered that persons who spent at least two hours in nature over the course of a week were significantly more likely to report feeling happier and healthier than those who did not go outside at all.
Benefits peaked at 200 to 300 minutes a week spent outside, regardless of whether the time was spent in short bursts or longer periods. Take a stroll, read in the park, or simply sit outside.
It's far too simple to get sucked into dwelling on what you lack.
Every morning and evening, especially when they are feeling lonely over the holidays, I advise my patients to write down three things for which they are grateful on their physical, emotional, and spiritual levels. Making appreciation lists and reciting them aloud are further ideas.
A significant 2019 study of college students between the ages of 18 and 30 discovered a link between social media use and feelings of loneliness. Users reported an average rise in feelings of loneliness of 13% for every 10% increase in unpleasant social media experiences.
Even if doing what you enjoy may seem obvious, you rarely get the chance to do exactly what you want.
In addition to enhancing awareness, a 2010 review discovered that meditation can enhance the brain's gray matter. Emotional control and perspective-taking are functions of this area of the brain.
Although the thought of meditating might be scary, anyone can actually do it. You can experiment with meditation alone, with the aid of apps, or on YouTube.
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