The festive season can be tough on the old mental health. Back-to-back social engagements, the pressure to purchase the perfect gift, and the occasional run-in with a conversation you’d sooner not be having when everyone’s imbibed an eggnog or two. It can be hard to get some time to yourself, but for some people it’s crucial to do so – a new national survey has found that 56 percent of people surveyed reported that alone time is very important for their mental health.
The survey was commissioned by The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and asked 1,000 Americans about their wellbeing during the holidays. The results revealed that 46 percent of people asked said they don’t get the alone time they need during the holidays. That’s despite more than half of them saying that alone time is crucial for their wellbeing.
For many people, the results may feel quite close to home. From staff parties, to family parties, and New Year’s Eve parties, we can cram in an above-average number of faces in the festive season, but slotting in some time to be by yourself can make all the difference.
“By taking a brief pause alone, our nervous system can settle, our mind can settle, our body can settle,” said Sophie Lazarus, PhD, a clinical psychologist in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health at Ohio State, in a release. “And I think that can be important. We know that chronic stress is not good for us.”
“Some people might experience alone time from going to a movie by themselves or going to a park where there’s a lot of people, or going to a coffee shop. It can also be this absence of having to perform or interact socially in a more direct way.”
Of course, it can be easier said than done to find time for yourself when there is so much going on, particularly for those with dependents, or people hosting family and friends. Where possible, even small pockets of peace can make all the difference, and ditching screen time as you regroup can help, too.
“Try putting your phone in a totally different room when you decide you’re going to spend alone time, knowing how hard it is to resist picking it up, the pulls on our attention and on our priorities,” Lazarus said. “Or take two or three minutes in the car before you go pick your kids up or before you go back into the house after work to just be alone.”
“One size doesn’t fit everyone. Being flexible and finding a balance is best. I think it’s important to remember that just because you’re prioritizing yourself at this moment doesn’t mean that you’re selfish and doesn’t mean that you always make the choice to prioritize yourself over others.”
So, if you need a minute this Christmas, this is your sign to go ahead and take it.
Source Link: Feeling Overwhelmed? Alone Time Is Essential To Wellbeing For Over 50 Percent Of People
