Culture

The Benefits of Solitude: How Time Alone Can Enhance Well-Being and Creativity

January, 11, 2025-04:02

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The Benefits of Solitude: How Time Alone Can Enhance Well-Being and Creativity

Jean, 67, from Wales, shared her perspective on solitude: “In my head, solitude is me time. I think it’s important to have that time on your own to think things through and do things that are just for you.”
It might surprise some to learn that the average adult spends nearly a third of their waking life alone, with the amount of solitary time increasing as we age. According to research from the Global Change Data Lab in Oxford, which examined trends between 2009 and 2019, 15-year-olds typically spend around 200 minutes alone each day. By the time people reach 80, that number rises to about 500 minutes, or just over eight hours, each day.

The number of people living solo is higher than ever before, and in many wealthy countries, fewer people are getting married or living with a partner. In 2021, one-person households in the UK accounted for 26% of households in London and 36% in Scotland, up from only around 5% before 1911.
Whether living alone is a result of circumstance or choice, some see this trend as a potential crisis for well-being and the breakdown of social connections. In fact, experts writing in *World Psychiatry* in 2021 warned of an “epidemic of loneliness” or a “loneliness time bomb.”

Feeling lonely, it turns out, is part of our natural makeup. Research published in *Nature Neuroscience* in 2020 revealed the existence of "loneliness neurons" in the brain that act as biological alarms, signaling when we need more meaningful social interaction. This mechanism was crucial in ancient times, when survival depended on cooperation and being alone could increase vulnerability to predators.
In small doses, loneliness can serve a helpful function by alerting us to weak social ties, prompting us to reconnect with others. However, excessive loneliness can be harmful, just like other stress responses. Numerous studies have linked loneliness to negative health outcomes, such as weakened immunity, high blood pressure, and premature death. Some research suggests that the discomfort of loneliness is similar to physical pain due to shared physiological processes.

While loneliness is harmful, solitude—the voluntary act of being alone—offers many health benefits. Studies suggest that solitude can promote calmness, foster self-reliance, and encourage activities that we find enjoyable and meaningful. It can also enhance creativity.
So, what exactly do we mean by "solitude"? Despite its negative reputation in society, solitude is not the same as loneliness, isolation, or withdrawal. Solitude often gets a bad rap because we’re taught from a young age that being alone is undesirable. This belief persists throughout our lives, and the importance of social connections—such as hanging out with friends or being a team player—is often emphasized as a measure of success.

This perspective often overlooks the fact that solitude, when chosen, can be a highly beneficial experience. While modern society often conflates solitude with loneliness and views it as something to avoid, research shows that spending less time alone or more time with others doesn’t necessarily alleviate loneliness. In contrast, solitude can help us feel calmer, more independent, and empowered to engage in activities that bring us joy and satisfaction.
The Covid-19 pandemic, which forced many people into social isolation, highlighted a shift in attitudes toward solitude. Mental health experts initially feared the pandemic would exacerbate loneliness, but many people found that they actually enjoyed, or rediscovered, the value of spending time alone. Some even wore T-shirts proudly declaring, “I was social distancing before it was cool.”

A study by University College London, comparing predictors of loneliness before and during the pandemic, found surprising results. Older adults, typically considered at higher risk for loneliness, were less likely to report loneliness compared to younger people. In fact, the 2021 UK Community Life Survey found that young adults, particularly those aged 16-24, reported feeling lonelier than older age groups, with loneliness declining significantly after age 45.
Despite the growing recognition of the benefits of positive solitude, it remains an under-researched area. To address this gap, the Solitude Project was launched in 2019, with the aim of understanding the full range of experiences related to positive solitude. The project has involved extensive interviews with people worldwide, gathering insights into how time spent alone can contribute to well-being and personal growth.