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

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 2

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!

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I enjoyed your answer, it tied back to the originals posters very well. Too often i see one this website people bringing up topics that were not discussed in the ordinal post. Good use of citing and clarification.

Answer 3

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 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.

Answer 5

Yes, the claim that alone time is necessary for mental health is true. It is important that people take time for themselves, especially in times of great stress. According to Sophie Lazarus, PhD, a clinical psychologist in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health at Ohio State, “By taking a brief pause alone, our nervous system can settle, our mind can settle, our body can settle."

Without enough time alone and in constant stress, our health can decline and lead to long-term mental health problems such as depression and anxiety. On the other hand, there are many benefits to having some alone time: people can let their guard down, grow more in their independence, relax and relieve the tension we feel when around others, and give more time to self-reflect.

It's also important to note that this is all about balance. Too much alone time can lead to isolation, while too little can lead to increased stress.

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

https://health.osu.edu/health/mental-health/alone-time-is-important-for-mental-health#:~:text=%E2%80%9CBy%20taking%20a%20brief%20pause,is%20not%20good%20for%20us.%E2%80%9D

Answer 6

Yes this is true. Although alone time is a concept that varies at a wide range from individual to individual, everyone needs to have it. It helps us to recharge, reflect, and relax to let out some stress without the pressures or distractions of society. The article used has great sources and information, but The Jed Foundation's article is one that I find good to reference for this claim. as well. The article says that alone time encourages self-reflection, helping individuals understand their feelings, ideas ad experiences. Learning to be alone gives us space to reflect on these things. 

Answer 7

A recent survey conducted by The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and College of Medicine reveals that 56% of Americans consider having alone time crucial for their mental health, especially during the holiday season.However, 46% report experiencing less solitude during this period. Clinical psychologist Dr. Sophie Lazarus emphasizes that brief moments of solitude can help reduce stress and allow the mind and body to settle. Experts also distinguish between beneficial alone time and harmful isolation, noting that the former can provide necessary mental rest. The findings suggest that while the holidays are often associated with togetherness, carving out personal time is essential for maintaining mental well-being.EurekAlert!+3OSU Wexner Medical Center+3Medical Xpress+3

Answer 8

your claim that alone time is necessary for mental well-being is true. In a poll conducted by the Ohio State University Werner medical center, they found that during holidays especially, 56% of adults find that they need 'adequate alone time" for their mental health. The article talks about how during holidays, there seems to be constant stress, which activates a survival mode, that, short term can be helpful, is negative in the long term. It's important to note though, that there must be tentative reason for that alone time. It should be for you t take a break from your stressors, to calm your nervous system. In an article published by a senior in human development at Brigham young university, it states that alone time for the sake of social avoidance can lead to a worsening in ones mental health

Alone time is important to mental health. Here’s how to get more of it

The Impact of Spending Time Alone on Emerging Adults' Mental The Impact of Spending Time Alone on Emerging Adults' Mental

Answer 9

The claim is true, I Used a podcast from American Psychological Association

In the article, Thuy-Vy Nguyen and Netta Weinsein talked about how solitude differs from loneliness, that spending time on your own can affect mental health, emotional well-being, and stress. the difference is that solitude is being alone without interaction, loneliness is feeling disconnected or lacking in social relationships. having 15-30 minutes a day of solitude can increase calmness and relaxation.Solitude offers for people to rest, reflect, have self understanding, and find emotional balance. its something that can be a powerful tool for helping nurture mental health. https://www.apa.org/news/podcasts/speaking-of-psychology/solitude

Answer 10

According to this article, many people surveyed that around 46% of Americans get less alone time during the holidays. For 36% of people they are more irritable when they do not get enough alone time. The social battery of someone varies from person to person and instead of following all the trends, one needs to tailor their strategies of maintaining and controlling their social battery.

“Older adults are significantly less likely to agree that alone time is important, according to the survey, and Lazarus emphasizes that for those who are already feeling lonely, connecting with others is usually the right choice.”

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

This article provides the detail of the benefits of alone time like improving personal exploration, increased creativity, and more social enenergy. It is natural that the thought of being alone can make one squeamish as it natural that humans crave attention however alone time can play a positive role in ones mental health and help self-refelction and personal growth. Using the examples of living alone, it is found by researchers that people living alone tend to have richer social lives and more energy when interacting with others. 

“Becoming comfortable in your own company can give you the time and freedom to truly explore your own passions without interference. It can be a way to explore new things, research topics that interest you, gain knowledge, and even practice new forms of self-expression.”

https://www.verywellmind.com/how-important-is-alone-time-for-mental-health-5184607#toc-benefits-of-alone-time

Overall, I believe this claim to be accurate and true. Through research done by professionals and the input by actual people surveying this claim is backed up.