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Modern man spends a lot of time surrounded by crowds. And although long, prolonged loneliness is harmful to health, being alone with yourself from time to time is very useful.
When you are alone
1. Your ability to create increases
Question: Are brainstorming sessions effective – collective discussion of new ideas? The answer is negative. “Decades of research have clearly shown that working on ideas and strategies alone and then discussing them in a group is much more effective than brainstorming conducted “here and now,” say psychologists from Washington University in St. Louis (1).
2. You work in good conscience: there is no one to shift duties to
Remember group projects at school? There was always someone hacking and not doing their part: working in a group often gives a false feeling that less effort can be applied. The best way to do something well is to do it yourself (2).
3. Your mind becomes clearer
Everyone needs a brain break. Constant “on” does not allow the brain to rest and recover. Solitude without extraneous stimuli helps to clear the mind, focus and think more clearly. At the same time, the brain and body are restored.
4. Depression is easier for you to deal with.
Research shows that those who spend a moderate amount of time alone are happier than those who spend too little or too much time alone (3). As with everything, the middle ground is important.
5. You can do what interests you and not others.
You do not have to compromise with friends or partners, agree on what you would like to do. You do not need to watch unloved sports events or TV shows for company. In addition, when you are not limited by a group, it is often easier to make new acquaintances, especially based on common interests.
If you are an introvert, periods of solitude are a must for you. It is believed that extroverts are energized by communication, while for introverts, on the contrary, it takes it away, and you regularly need periods of solitude to “recharge”.
1. N. Kohn, S.Smith «Collaborative fixation: Effects of others’ ideas on brainstorming». Applied Cognitive Psychology, 2011, № 25.
2. S. Karau et al. «Social loafing: A meta-analytic review and theoretical integration». Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 1993, № 65.
3. R. Larson «The Emergence of Solitude as a Constructive Domain of Experience in Early Adolescence». Child Development, 1997, vol. 68, № 1.