We are all busy; running from one thing to another. No down time, no breathing room. Things and people pressing on us. Deadlines having us in a ball of frenzy. And sadly, this then takes a toll on our mental health.
While yes, we are social animals and we very much need our friendships and social contact to survive, but at the same time, we also need solitude for ourselves, especially for our mental health.
People can be a source of joy, but at the same time, they also bring with them, stress as well. Solitude, on the other hand, can bring with itself some much needed me-time, in which, you connect to yourself.
However, there is a difference between being alone and being lonely. The former is a choice, and the latter is a state that one is subjected to. Being lonely can be extremely bad for the mental health, and people then might need help of therapist via oladoc.com.
Benefits of Solitude
Alongside serving as a break, solitude also has numerous other benefits for the mental health. These include:
Getting Time to Know Yourself
When we are busy with life, it is easy to neglect yourself. Habits like introspection, catharsis etc. become long forgotten. However, it is important that you know yourself, reflect on your life choices, get your emotions aligned.
This is only possible when you have alone time.
Personal Growth
During the solitude, you can also explore yourself and get acquainted with your passions. These moments can be of great epiphany, when you go on a journey of soul searching, come up with ideas and following through with them.
It is not possible otherwise in the loud noise of the daily routine, with judgmental eyeballs, and several distractions.
More Social Energy
Being by yourself means that you do not have other people to distract you. So many times, we start to resent all people when some have been unkind to you or have taxed you emotionally or physically.
When you are alone, you are devoid of these people who turn you jaded and resentful of all crowds. Result, you have more social energy to expend in a constructive way, and you are then able to enjoy a happier social life.
Allows for Creativity
Another benefit of solitude is that it allows creativity to flourish. Naturally, when you are amidst people, you are distracted, and your mind is not able to focus. With solitude, you are then able to channel your energies in the task alone.
Moreover, your brain also has a role to play here. When you are without the buzz of the social life, your brain then drives up its imagination to fill the void left by lack of social life. This then helps in flourishing creativity.
Practicing Solitude
For some people, solitude is easy to practice. For the more outward people with active social lives, it may feel uncomfortable and weird at first. However, you must still strive to practice it. Some tips include setting aside specific times.
No one is asking you to run for the mountains. Solitude does not mean giving up civilization. Simply, take out time in your calendar, in the frequency that you are comfortable in, without it imposing too much on your life. In this time, retreat to an empty place. And just reconnect with your inner self.
Moreover, phones can be really distracting, especially for those people who are addicted to social media. Since that’s the very influence that we are trying to pipe down, it’s important that you off your phone.
Word of Advice
You might think you do not need solitude, but if you are suffering from anxiety, have social interaction problems, are feeling angry and overwhelmed, you need a break. In severe cases, you might also need the help of a Psychiatrist in Islamabad to improve your mental health.
