Although solitude is not always viewed favorably, it can have beneficial effects on well-being, a new study shows.
- New research from the University of Reading shows that loneliness has both benefits and harms in terms of well-being.
- Scientists noticed that spending more time alone could help reduce stress and boost the feeling of being able to be yourself, but too much time left volunteers feeling lonely and less satisfied.
- On the other hand, the negative impacts of loneliness were reduced, or even canceled out, when it resulted from a personal choice.
Mental suffering, cognitive decline, heart problems… Numerous studies highlight the harmful effects of loneliness on health. However, a new study from the University of Reading suggests that solitude may also offer well-being benefits.
This work was published in the journal Scientific ReportsDecember 5, 2023.
Loneliness: there is no balance optimal
For this study, researchers followed 178 adults aged 35 and older for 21 days. They measured the time volunteers spent alone versus interacting with others using diaries completed daily. Participants also specified their level of stress, life satisfaction, autonomy and loneliness during each day.
The results showed that there was no optimal balance between solitude and social interactions. There isn’t really a “right” number of hours to spend alone. However, analyzes indicated that spending more hours alone was associated with increased feelings of reduced stress. Which suggests that solitude can have calming effects. Additionally, a day with more alone time was also linked to a feeling of freedom and the ability to be oneself.
However, although solitude can have beneficial effects, it seems that it should not be abused. The study found that on days when participants spent more hours solo, they felt lonelier and less satisfied. Thus, daily loneliness had both beneficial and detrimental relationships with well-being.
Well-being : the chosen solitude is beneficial
In fact, the team noticed that the negative impacts of loneliness were reduced or negated when it was chosen, not imposed by external factors. People who voluntarily spent time alone did not report feeling overall alone or less satisfied. Furthermore, the benefits – such as stress reduction – persisted over time.
“The lockdowns imposed by the pandemic have highlighted many of the long-term impacts that can occur when we are deprived of interaction with other people. Yet this study highlights some of the benefits that solitude can bring such as less stress and more freedom to be ourselves.explains the main author Pr Netta Weinstein in a press release from the university of the United Kingdom. “This study highlights that spending time alone can be a healthy and positive choice, and that there is no universal level of socialization or solitude to achieve.”she concludes.
