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.

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