24 Jan A Purposeful Me Time: Why We Sometimes Need to Recharge Alone

When the world gets a bit overwhelming, getting time off might be a good idea. With the growing demands of life, it might be a bit difficult to schedule rest.  

There are some telling signs when you need the rest you keep on putting off such as:  

• Getting easily irritated or angry  

• Constant feelings of fatigue  

• Being in rush all the time 

• Changes in eating habits  

• Chronic stress  

• Not wanting to go out  

• Impaired focus  

If you have been feeling these symptoms lately, it might be your body’s signal that you cannot delay your me-time.  

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Why Recharging is Important   

Some people recharge by being surrounded by people and spending time with their loved ones. There are also people who find it a necessity to find time alone and spend the day by themselves.  

A 2020 study noted that adults’ mental health can benefit from “the practice of self-care in purposeful time spent alone,” particularly during times of great stressful transitions in life.  

Alone time can be beneficial as long as it is done without social media and the presence of other individuals, according to the study.  

Some of the positive effects of spending time alone include:  

• Heightened awareness of emotions and behaviors  

• Increased sense of emotional regulation  

• Overall better health  

• Self-reflection without distraction  

• Enhances problem-solving skills  

• Relieve tension  

When doing your alone time, you should also consider the type of activity you should be doing. It should involve intentional motivation for overall well-being for your alone time to have a positive effect on one’s life.   

Even a brief personal quality time can have positive effects, according to experts in a recent 2024 survey.   

Taking a pause alone can still settle the nervous system, body, and mind, preventing chronic stress.  

What Happens When I Don’t Spend Time Alone?  

Refusing to schedule your time out can cause chronic stress, which can lead to other health problems. These health problems can manifest physically, emotionally, and even mentally.  

These health problems can include:  

• Anxiety  

• Depression  

• Digestive problems  

• Headaches  

• Cardiovascular disease  

• High blood pressure and cholesterol levels  

• Weight changes  

Your refusal to spend personal time off might be due to the social stigma about being alone. It might seem like a form of punishment, especially for those who see solitude from a negative angle.  

It can also be due to tight schedules, lack of experience of being alone, or inability to sit alone with your thoughts.  

How to Plan Your Alone Time  

If you are unsure where to start planning your me-time, you should first consider the activity you will find enjoyable. Some spend their me-time reading a book, doing crafty hobbies, journaling, cleaning their space, engaging in relaxing physical activities, or just doing nothing.  

You can also decide not to do any specific task on that day, as long as you steer clear of TV, social media, and using your phone.  

You also need to pick the schedule. Pick a time and day when you can be fully immersed in the experience of spending time by yourself. Let other people know so you can spend it uninterrupted.  

Doing alone time for the first time might be challenging and triggering, but it gets better in practice. Be more present for yourself; observe how it can change your self-perception and health minute by minute.  

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