The Reasons Why Alone Time Is So Important

Solo time without our partner, friends, or kids allows us to break free from social pressures and more purposefully tap into our own thoughts, desires, and feelings.

Let's take five minutes to see this week in a new light. By Wendy Rose Gould & Amy Morin, LCSW, Editor-in-Chief Top of Mind The Reasons Why Alone Time Is So Important   We're naturally very social creatures—and spending time with others has a bounty of rewards—but a little alone time can still bode well for our mental health and well-being. Solo time without our partner, friends, or kids allows us to break free from social pressures and more purposefully tap into our own thoughts, desires, and feelings. The Benefits of Alone Time  It might feel a little weird to be by yourself for an extended period of time, but that discomfort makes way for self-exploration and discovery. Without the (sometimes noisy) influence of others, you can better understand the things that bring you joy.   This sudden ability to let your mind wander also breeds creativity. Finally, when we spend time alone it helps recharge our "social battery," allowing us to be more present and engaged when we are around others.     As you get better at enjoying your own company, you may find that this alone time can help you feel renewed and inspired for when you do return to your social circle."  — KENDRA CHERRY, MS   Signs You Could Use Alone Time Be on the lookout for key signs of social or mental burnout, which indicate you might be overdue for some solo time. These include feeling overwhelmed or overstimulated, inability to concentrate, little desire to hang out with others, a short temper, and feeling anxious about social events you'd otherwise enjoy. Some people need more alone time than others, so find out what works best for you.     On the Bright Side Ways to Stay Positive This Week Ways to Nurture Your Mind and Body  This week, pencil in an hour or two for a solo activity. Maybe it's waking up early to watch the sun rise, going to the movie theater by yourself (viewer's choice!), walking through a new exhibit at the art or history museum, or stopping into a café to enjoy a drink and your book. Relish in the freedom of being able to come, go, do, see, and enjoy on your own time. Need some alone time inspiration? The Adventure Challenge book features 50 scratch-off free or low-cost challenges that'll get you off the couch and making fun memories. Solo travel is on the rise. If you've contemplated the idea but aren't sure where to start, read through The Solo Travel Handbook from Lonely Planet. It features practical tips and inspiration for a safe, fun, and fearless trip.     This Week on The Verywell Mind Podcast   If you're not sure how to talk to your kids about drugs and alcohol, you're not alone. It's a tough subject to tackle, especially in today's world.   So tomorrow I'm talking to Jessica Lahey. She's a teacher, a bestselling author, and a self-described alcoholic. She set on a quest to figure out how to prevent her kids from developing an addiction and now she's sharing what she learned along the way.   She will talk about the factors that influence the likelihood of a child developing an addiction, the steps parents can take to empower their kids to refuse drugs and alcohol, and the ways we can decrease the risk factors that could lead to a substance abuse problem.   Follow Now: Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Google Podcasts / RSS Read These Next The High Cost of Groupthink READ NOW What to Do If You Don't Know Who You Are READ NOW 8 Fun Things to Do By Yourself READ NOW Spread the Light Share the newsletter with someone you know to make their day a little brighter. SHARE We're open to suggestions! If you have any feedback about this newsletter, let us know at feedback@verywell.com.     You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the Healthy Mind newsletter. If you wish to unsubscribe, please click here. If someone forwarded you this email, you can subscribe here!   A DOTDASH BRAND 28 Liberty Street, 7th Floor, New York, NY, 10005   © 2021 Verywellmind.com - All rights reserved. Privacy Policy