“Alone time” is time engaged in a solitary, uninterrupted, and satisfying behavior or activity that provides you a psychological boost. The goal is feeling refreshed despite a schedule of tightly woven work and home responsibilities. Parents, caregivers, or those with busy jobs and chain-linked to-do lists can find it difficult to schedule regular alone time. It’s easy to see alone time as only a “nice-to-have” activity or to avoid it altogether out of fear or guilt. However, alone time is a tool—a resiliency strategy—that can help you manage stress better, increase energy, and provide a positive point in the future to focus on while you are under stress in the present. Alone time improves mood, offers work-life balance, and renews your purpose.

How to Spend Time Alone

If you are thinking of spending some time alone, it is important to do so in ways that are beneficial to your mental well-being. Being alone is most beneficial when it is voluntary. It’s also important that you feel like you can return to your social world whenever you like.

• Pick a time: Figure out when you’d like to spend some time alone. Plan that time into your schedule and make sure that other people know that they shouldn’t interrupt you during that time.
• Turn off social media: Work on eliminating distractions, particularly ones that invite social comparisons. Your focus should be on your own thoughts and interests and not on what other people are doing.
• Plan something: Not everyone is comfortable spending time alone, so you might find it helpful to plan out what you want to do. This might involve some relaxation time, exploring a favorite hobby, or reading a book.
• Take a walk: Research has found that being outside can have a beneficial impact on wellbeing. If you're feeling cooped up and stifled from too much social interaction, spending a little time outdoors by yourself enjoying a change of scenery can have a restorative effect.

There is no correct amount of solo time that works for everyone. Think about things that you might like to do by yourself, then start practicing doing them alone.

Creating Space to Be Alone

Finding time to be alone isn’t always easy. Those around you may have differing social needs and may not understand your need for solitude. Family obligations and parenting responsibilities can also make it tough to carve out time to yourself. Some steps that you can’t take to ensure that you get the time you need:

• Be clear: Tell the people around you, whether they are roommates, family members, or your partner, that you need time alone.
• Be specific: Let people know about what this means. For example, you might say that you need a certain amount of uninterrupted time to read a book, watch a television show, or listen to a podcast.
• Return the favor: If people are willing to take steps to ensure that you get some alone time, it is important for you to show them the same consideration. Offer to take on some responsibilities while they have some space to themselves.
• Be flexible: If you are trying to find time for yourself when you don't live alone or your living in close quarters with other people, you'll probably need to be flexible and look for opportunities to carve out time for yourself.

Try waking up early in the morning to enjoy some peaceful time to yourself before others in the house start to wake. If that isn't an option, doing things like going for a walk outdoors or having other family members watch the kids or take over household duties while you take a break can be helpful.

See your EAP or a counselor to help you map an alone time strategy so you can reap all the positives it promises for your life.



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

https://eap.apsva.us/wp-content/uploads/sites/44/2018/04/EAP_NEWS_APR_-2018.pdf