Is alone time necessary for mental well-being?

Question

Allegedly, more than half of Americans say they need alone time for the sake of their mental well-being.

"I’m certainly not alone in this sentiment; many people find themselves needing a balance of social interactions during the holidays. Forty-six percent of Americans say they get less alone time during the holidays, according to a new survey commissioned by The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and College of Medicine, released on Tuesday.“We have a lot of input, demands and stress in general that is elevated during the holidays, so it is extra important to be attentive to your need for alone time,” said Sophie Lazarus, a clinical psychologist in the department of psychiatry and behavioral health at Ohio State and one of the survey’s developers and reviewers."

Comments

The claim that many Americans need alone time for mental well-being, especially during the holidays, is supported by a survey conducted by The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. The survey found that 46% of Americans report less alone time during the holiday season. This aligns with insights from Sophie Lazarus, a clinical psychologist at Ohio State, who highlights that the increased demands and stress during holidays elevate the need for personal downtime to maintain mental health.

The survey emphasizes the importance of finding a balance between social interactions and personal space, especially in high-stress periods like holidays. This data shows a bigger understanding of how alone time supports mental well-being by providing opportunities for self-reflection and stress relief. Ensuring intimate personal time is a critical part of holiday wellness​

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The source that you used not only seems reliable, but is also backed up by other websites such as PsychCentral. It talks about how not getting enough alone time can increase anxiety, depression, and for some people it can decrease their creativity. It is very important that people are able to be reliant on themselves and can take care of themselves mentally and physically without having other people to help. If you would like to read the article, here's the link!

https://psychcentral.com/health/signs-you-need-a-little-me-time#signs-you-need-alone-time

Answer 1

Yes, this is true. The article you linked also mentioned to first assess what alone time means for you because "alone time" has a varying definition depending on who you are. It is not a "one size fits all" approach according to Dr. Ramani Durvasula, a clinical psychologist and professor at Cal State LA. A podcast hosted by the American Psychological Association discussed the numerous benefits to solitude, including balance, an increased sense of calmness and self-introspection. The speakers, Dr. Thuy-vy Nguyen and Dr. Netta Weinstein, also discussed the difference between solitude/alone time and loneliness, which can lead to different responses.

Comments

I appreciate you using a podcast to back your research rather then the generic article or piece of writing. I also enjoyed how how you talked about the importance solitude brings to balance because having a balanced and under-controlled lifestyle is beneficial to mental clarity. Thank you for an awesome response!

Answer 2

After looking at the articles of both the original poster and the only comment at the time, it turns out that it is true that having some alone time is good for you, and it is essential for your mental health, mainly during the holidays. Both The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and Dr. Ramani Durvasula reviewed and agreed to this, and it was discussed on the podcast mentioned by commenter Ollie_972.

https://www.cnn.com/2024/12/03/health/alone-time-mental-health-holiday-wellness/index.html

https://www.apa.org/news/podcasts/speaking-of-psychology/solitude

Answer 3

This claim is accurate. A recent national survey commissioned by The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center found that 56% of Americans say alone time is vital to their mental health.

This directly confirms the statement that more than half of Americans report a need for alone time for their mental well-being. The original source is a press release published by Wexner Medical Center on December 4, 2024, which is a primary source tied to the organization that conducted the research. The lead expert cited is Dr. Sophie Lazarus, a clinical psychologist at Ohio State and one of the survey’s developers.

The CNN article that summarized this survey mentioned that “46% of Americans say they get less alone time during the holidays,” which is true — but it left out the more compelling stat that 56% say it is vital to their mental health. That figure supports the original claim more strongly.

Trusted sources such as the American Psychological Association (APA) also support the value of alone time such as:  "Benefits of Solitude: Experts discuss how alone time can lower stress and increase emotional regulation." and  "Risks of Social Isolation: Balancing solitude and connection is key to maintaining mental well-being"

The claim is true — the survey data backs it up, and expert consensus supports the idea that alone time can be essential for mental health. The original post accurately summarized this point.

Ohio State Wexner Medical Center Press Release: https://wexnermedical.osu.edu/mediaroom/pressreleaselisting/new-survey-finds-56-percent-say-alone-time-is-vital-to-their-mental-health

CNN: https://www.cnn.com/2024/12/03/health/alone-time-mental-health-holiday-wellness/index.html

APA – Solitude: https://www.apa.org/news/podcasts/speaking-of-psychology/solitude

APA – Social Isolation: https://www.apa.org/monitor/2019/05/ce-corner-isolation

Comments

Thank you for your extensive response. I appraise your relationships to percentages to elaborate on your ideas. I thought that 56% seemed a little low based on how many people experience solitude on a daily basis. If we don't think solitude is good for us for a myriad of reasons, reframing that mindset can be crucial to the growth of our mental health as humans.

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This is a good fact check because it consists of multiple trusted sources. It explains the claim thoroughly and is very detailed and made me want to read more!

Answer 4

This is an amazing and important topic to discuss when learning how to maximize mental well-being. This claim is accurate that yes, alone time is essential in order to maximize your mental well-being. The article also talks about the customization and differences in the definition of alone time and how it looks differently for everybody. While this is true, I believe that solidarity allows for the same effects to occur. According to the JED Foundation, getting to know yourself is one of the greatest benefits from experiencing alone time and the importance of allowing for reflection, relaxation, and rest by yourself can improve your overall mental well-being tremendously.