Alone but Not Lonely: Amazing Benefits of Solitude

 Solitude – what images does this word conjure up for you? Do you picture yourself in blissful isolation, enjoying downtime, peace and quiet, or do you picture yourself locked away somewhere remote, feeling lonely, bored and miserable? In today’s hyper-connected, high speed world, solitude can be difficult to find, even if you want to find it – and yet this state of aloneness can bring many benefits.

Craved by some, and feared by others, our relationship with solitude is somewhat mixed. We know that ‘solitary confinement’ is a disturbing kind of punishment, and we know that loneliness can severely impact mental health. Yet there’s a lot of research which shows that solitude can be a very positive choice – providing that it is indeed a choice, and not something imposed against someone’s will.

To understand the benefits of solitude, it’s important to understand that solitude is not the same as loneliness. By definition, loneliness is a state of wishing for company or greater social contact, whereas solitude is a deliberate act of withdrawing from company. Loneliness can last for years, whereas solitude may last for only a few moments – half an hour or so of solitude here and there will still bring benefits.

Solitude does not necessarily mean being physically isolated. For sure, being miles from anywhere helps, but you can experience solitude in your own home, at work and in your normal neighborhood. It’s a state of mind which is not linked to your physical environment....<<<Read More>>>....