Psychologist reveals 3 major benefits of being alone despite the stigma

In recent years, experts have been lamenting the fact that people are now spending more time alone than ever — a phenomenon they say is causing a veritable “loneliness epidemic.” In fact, some therapists have deemed the problem so widespread they’ve even resorted to prescribing “socializing” to their patients.But there are those that contend there is a big difference between loneliness — and solitude.

“Loneliness and isolation are indeed social problems that warrant serious attention, especially since chronic states of loneliness are linked with poor outcomes such as depression and a shortened lifespan,” Virginia Thomas, an assistant professor of psychology at Middlebury College in Vermont, recently wrote in The Conversation.“[But] for some people, the shift toward aloneness represents a desire for what researchers call ‘positive solitude,’ a state that is associated with well-being, not loneliness.”As someone who has spent years studying the joys and pitfalls of being alone, Thomas believes our isolation anxiety “stems in large part from our culture’s deficit view of solitude.” “In this type of thinking, the desire to be alone is seen as unnatural and unhealthy, something to be pitied or feared rather than valued or encouraged,” she wrote.

“In this cultural milieu, preferring to be alone carries stigma.”On the contrary, Thomas says research shows being alone has at least three major benefits.Taking time for oneself can be rejuvenating.A study published in the Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin found that just 15 minutes of solitude can significantly reduce high-arousal emotions like anxiety and increase feelings of calmness.

This emotional “deactivation” allows individuals to reset and recharge, leading to improved mental clarity and reduced stress levels.​Solitude offers a unique opportunity for self-reflection and personal development.Research indicates that individuals who spend time alone often expe...