Even though spending time alone can scare many of us, cutting ourselves off from others from time to time strengthens our psychological balance.
While many studies have recently shown that loneliness can be bad for your health, psychologist Thuy-vy Nguyen believes the opposite in a long interview given to Science Alert that cutting yourself off from others can be beneficial.
Channel our feelings
Thuy-vy Nguyen has been studying the impacts of loneliness on human beings for more than ten years, and various experiences have shown him that we tend to occupy our time when we no longer have any social interaction. “I was thus able to prove that if we gave the choice to people isolated in a room to remain without doing anything or to occupy themselves with sorting pencils, most people chose to carry out this activity sum all quite off-putting”, explains the specialist.
However, according to the scientist, reading a book in a park, going to the cinema without having anyone by your side or having dinner alone can have a really positive impact on our mental health and our mood. These times for oneself could also help us to channel our feelings. “After just 15 minutes of solitude imposed on students, I found that the strong emotions that the participants could feel, such as anxiety or excitement, disappeared”, she reports. And while it can be hard to get started, traveling alone can also “provide a sense of autonomy and freedom arising from decision-making” she continues.
Selected moments
But beware: for solitude to bring all the beneficial effects that we have just mentioned, it must be chosen moments, and not suffered. In this sense, Thuy-vy Nguyen specifies that “Loneliness is often confused with isolation. In psychology, researchers define isolation as a feeling of distress we experience when we don’t have or can’t get the kind of social connections or relationships we hope for. “, explains the expert. “Loneliness is something different”, she continues.
In an international survey of more than 18,000 adults, more than half of them identified solitude as one of the main activities they engage in to rest. “Even if you’re outgoing, don’t let this trait stop you from taking the time to isolate yourself,” counsel the psychologist. “And if a solo trip seems a bit too much hard to organize for now, including small time slots for yourself in your schedule is a good start”, concludes the health professional.