“I think it’s very healthy to spend time alone. You need to know how to be alone and not be defined by another person.” – Oscar Wilde
In the age of the internet and social media, solitude is often confused with loneliness. You can always choose to be alone without being lonely. Being alone has its share of benefits. It helps you unwind, relax your brain, discover yourself and improve your productivity. It gives you time to think through your problems and make better decisions. However, you do not have to lock yourself in if you want to spend time by yourself.
Here is a list of four things that you can do alone and how it will benefit you:
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According to Dr Josie Billington, Deputy Director of the Centre for Research into Reading at the University of Liverpool, “Reading can offer richer, broader, and more complex models of experience, which enable people to view their own lives from a refreshed perspective and with renewed understanding.” (As stated in Fast Company) Reading doesn’t just help you gain more knowledge, it also changes the way you look at things in life. In addition to that, it makes you confident, empathetic, understanding and also a better decision-maker. In fact, a study concluded that reading for pleasure can also help fight the ill effects of stress and depression. It also found that adults who read for just 30 minutes a week reportedly felt 20 per cent more satisfied with their lives.
So, grab a good book and get started. Develop a regular reading habit of at least 20 to 30 minutes per day. This will help you be a better version of yourself.
Travel alone
Learning to be alone in a crowd is a daunting task. Travelling alone helps you find yourself. You learn to be at peace with your inner self and learn how to overcome challenges on your own. You see things from a fresh perspective and understand yourself better. According to HolidayIQ’s Travel Trend Forecast 2016, in recent years, the number of trips planned by women solo travellers is on the rise. Women are travelling more than ever today—both alone and in groups.
However, you need to be prepared for a few demerits that come with solo travel. You might face cost issues if you do not find a helpful local. However, the major concern is safety. You can follow these safety tips for solo travellers to get the most out of your trip.
Dine alone
Although eating out alone seems so strange to most people that they never attempt it at all, it is actually a healthy practice. Not only does it help you avoid small talk and focus solely on your food, it also helps you make healthier food choices. In fact, restaurants are also welcoming solo diners happily. Mary Lalboi, Manager and chef at Rosang Café in South Delhi, differentiates her restaurant from others through her treatment of female customers. She explained, “I never turn away a lone woman customer no matter how busy the restaurant is. I am here to build a brand on the strength of the quality of my service and goodwill to my customers.”
Focus on your body
In our race to success, we often let our health take a backseat. Hit the gym or work out at home to get fit and healthy again. Exercising alone will help you decide your own schedule and intensity. You do not have to cater to anyone else’s agenda but your own, and this way, you can stick to your goals. So, just plug in your favourite workout music and use wearable mobile fitness apps for best results.
While you’re not sweating it out at the gym, why not go for a nice massage? Massages help release a hormone called serotonin that makes you feel happy. Head out to the nearest spa or massage centre and spend a day relaxing all your tired muscles. You can also opt to get spa services at home.
How do you make the most of your me-time? Let us know in the comments section below.
