Alone time, of course, is different than loneliness, which carries some health risks, including increased risk of heart disease and depression. But carving out some “me time,” on the other hand, is a pretty awesome idea. Here’s why:
You can have just as much fun with yourself!
Think you’ll have a terrible time at the movies alone? That’s probably not the case. In fact, you’ll have an equally good time partaking in fun activities on your own as you would if you were doing them with other people. The not-so-fun part comes in when you’re thinking about how others are perceiving your aloneness and worrying that they simply think you have no one to hang out with.
Alone time gives you the opportunity to re-boot your brain.
Constantly being "on" doesn't give your brain a chance to rest and replenish itself. Being by yourself with no distractions gives you the chance to clear your mind, focus, and think more clearly. It's an opportunity to revitalize your mind and body at the same time.
It can enhance the quality of the relationships you have.
By spending time with yourself and gaining a better understanding of who you are and what you desire in life, you're more likely to make better choices about who you want to be around. You also may come to appreciate your relationships more after you've spent some time alone.
Despite knowing these benefits, it can be a challenge to find time alone in a world that seems to never sleep. Here are a few ideas to help you find more time to spend with yourself.
Stop the daily rush.
Being alone and doing something for yourself is a great way to stop the daily rush. No matter what it is—having a nice cup of coffee, having a long walk in woods, sitting on the bench in a park and looking at the sun, fishing, cooking—whatever makes you feel happy and smile. Just take a pause of daily habits and give yourself the true gift of being alive.
Overcoming Resistance
Once you begin making time for yourself, don't be surprised if you don't run into a little resistance from those in your life who are used to you always being available. There are many reasons why this resistance might happen--insecurity, over dependence, feeling slighted or rejected, or simply because they have become accustomed to always having you around. Don't let their resistance stop you. Reassure these people that you're still there for them, but in order to be there for them over the long haul, you also have to also take care of yourself. Then, do it! Just as they've grown accustomed to you always being there for them, they'll get accustomed to you taking time for yourself.
*credit to the resources of the contents on this post: https://www.psychologytoday.com
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