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OT - Women Wednesday

Aniki-Moderator's picture

Humans are, typically, social creatures. However, we all need time to ourselves. Time to regroup, time to relax, time to breathe. It's important to spend time alone because beneficial to you in multiple ways.

  1. Solitude allows you to reboot your brain and unwind.
    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.
  2. Being alone increases productivity.
    People perform better when they have some privacy. When you remove as many distractions and interruptions as you can, you are better able to concentrate, which will help you get more work done in a shorter amount of time.
  3. Solitude sparks creativity.
    There's a reason a lot of authors or artists want to go to a cabin in the woods to work. Constant motion prevents you from engaging in deep thought, which inhibits creativity and lessens productivity. Being alone with your thoughts gives your brain a chance to wander, which can help you become more creative.
  4. Being alone helps you work through your problems more effectively.
    It's difficult to think of effective solutions to problems when you're distracted by incoming information, regardless of whether that information is electronic or human. Quiet space provides you an opportunity to think about your goals, your progress, and changes you want to make in your life.
  5. Solitude may reduce behavior problems in kids.
    Whaaaaaat?!?! Yep. When you carve out some YOU time in your schedule, you show your children (and SKIDS!) that being alone is a HEALTHY thing to do. Research shows that kids who learn to be by themselves are better behaved than other children.

 

Do you have a favorite place you go when you want to be alone?
Ideally, for me, I want to be IN the water. A lake, a river, a waterfall.... When I'm in the water, I can feel the tension flowing out of me. I'm able to relax, unclutter my mind, and regroup.

Comments

ProbablyAlreadyInsane's picture

I enjoy the water and the mountians. When I lived right in the middl eof the mountains there was this waterfall hike that I used to trail run. I enjoyed being out there alone, running, and the fact at the end I got to stand in this MASSIVE water fall and during the summer months there was a nice swimming area up there too and just unwind. I used to take my fur-baby I left with my parents too, it was the only time he EVER behaved on a leash. LOL

Now the woods are okay, and the creek, but honestly it's become the gym right now until i come up with something else Smile

witch.hazel's picture

I love being alone. I heard at a mental health training that extroverts receive their energy by being with other people, and they deplete it when they are alone, so they seek people out to recharge. Introverts are the opposite- we expend our energy being around people and we recharge by being alone. It is not a matter of "extroverts like people, introverts don't"...

I know I'm an introvert because when I'm with a group of people, my thoughts are, "I can't wait until I can be alone!", and when I walk in that door to an empty room or house, there is a huge sigh of relief!

Aniki-Moderator's picture

I am an introvert who masquerades as an extrovert. Being around people and being social drains me both physically AND mentally. I am absolutely exhausted after parties or get-togethers and need Me Time to recover.

pixielady's picture

I think that's called a social introvert. You do fine at parties, social gatherings, and can even be the life of the party at times, but you really treasure your alone time.

Aniki-Moderator's picture

I am actually a Pseudo Extrovert. That is an introvert pretending to be an extrovert. The reality is that I wear the "mask" of an extrovert to hide who and what I truly am.

I love dogs's picture

This is totally me! I can be very animated and outgoing but the REAL me loves being alone with my dogs and/or DH. When our friends invite us out or want to make plans, I will oblige, but am almost always counting the minutes that I can have "me" time again.

Aniki-Moderator's picture

Admittedly, I regret agreeing to plans within 5 minutes of making them. When someone cancels, THEN I'm ready to celebrate! LOL

Cover1W's picture

I am almost never alone - and my job requires 8-9 hours of phone/email/open door come to me all day with questions.  So there are days I get home and don't want to talk AT ALL.  I always warn DH about it if I am overwhelmed - he's got the opposite problem, a solitary job and is alone most of the day so he wants interaction in the evenings.  It's difficult some times but as long as we are clear with each other it's ok.

I love, love, love alone time.  I usually start by cleaning up a little, because I cannot relax with a mess around me.  Once that's done, if it's in the evening I'll watch a show that only I like.  And have a glass or two of wine by myself.  Then, go to bed and read.  If I have a day to myself - I'll take myself off to the bakery for breakfast/lunch with a book or go into town and run MY errands (I need a pedi come to think of it...) and do some shopping only for me.

The pool in our neighborhood opens at the end of this month and if it's warm enough I'll head down there with my giant hat and a book and my dark sunglasses and jump in/out and ignore everyone!

Aniki-Moderator's picture

Cover, one thing I never liked about public pools is that there are people in them!! LOL! There is nothing I love more than having the entire beach/waterfall/river to myself. For HOURS.

My DH has to interact with people at work. Plus, he has to talk to PigPen on skid weekends. We both value our alone time, but we work different shifts, so it's easier for us to get it. DH leaves FOR work when I leave FROM work. On a good day, we pass each other and blow kisses. So DH gets alone time weekday mornings before he has to get ready for work and I get weekday evenings.

Cover1W's picture

The beauty of this pool is it's in our 'home plot' area - and if it's after 6:00 and all the kids are GONE HOME to eat, it can be great - DH and I have spent hours there alone on weekday nights.  Often it's maybe one or two older couples, and no screaming or people wanting anything.  It's also right  on the water so there's a fantastic view.

queensway's picture

I need a healthy balance between a social life and alone time. I can not have one without the other. I need both. I am a much happier person since I realized this. I get burnt out being with people all the time. Plus when I am alone I never get burnt out. And I don't really have a place I like to be alone. Anywhere is fine. I find that after regrouping in my alone time I am a better wife and friend. I enjoy my relationships more and have more of myself to give.