The Importance of Solitude for a Healthy Mind By Dean Attwood
The never-ending notification demands, voice notes, sticky notes, voice mails, emails, lists, jobs, post, delivery’s, bills, calls, calls about lowering your bills, calls about having changed your bills, to lower them and now you have been charged twice!...
The car, services, Mot – Failed Mot. Driving, parking, potholes! New Tyre, more calls.
Food cooking, Food shopping!! Washing up, drying up.
Work stress, family stress, dog stress, car stress, did we say car stress, pothole!!
The weather is too hot, to cold, what to wear.
Night out, night in, late night, early morning.
Back hurts, knee hurts, foot hurts, oooh are those new trainers.
Wallet hurts, and back to bills.
Also don’t forget
Did you do your morning routine...
Cold water therapy, stretch, walk, dog walk, train, healthy breakfast, protein, water, mindfulness, journaling, shower, getting the kids ready for school (or plus college in my case, yes he should…. But normally something is forgotten... ha.)
Answer text messages, voice notes, voicemails... oh look work starts…
And ....
Seriously, let’s take a moment.
In fact, please stop reading this and just breathe.
When was the last time you gave yourself time? Time for yourself – true self-care time?
So, let’s get a little bit more focused.
In a world that's always buzzing with notifications, conversations and busy schedules, spending time alone might seem unusual, even uncomfortable. But taking moments of solitude can actually be incredibly beneficial for your mental health.
Being alone doesn’t mean being lonely.
In fact, when chosen with purpose, solitude can help you feel more relaxed, creative, more connected to yourself and give yourself chance to breath!
Why Time Alone Can Be So Good for You
Supports you in Lowering Stress.
Life can be overwhelming, and taking time to step away from the noise can give your brain a much-needed break. When you're alone, you have space to breathe, think clearly, and slow down. It’s a chance to reset emotionally, especially if you’ve been pulled in lots of directions by other people’s needs.
Helps you to Think More Clearly
When you’re alone, without distractions, your mind has a better chance to concentrate. Whether you’re working through a challenge, organising your thoughts, or planning ahead, solitude can help sharpen your focus. Without the constant buzz of conversation or outside demands, it becomes easier to think deeply and make clearer decisions.
Creates Time for you to Process and Listen to Your Needs
Solitude creates space for reflection. It’s a time to check in with your thoughts and feelings and to then ask yourself; what’s going well, what’s bothering you, and what truly matters to you. This kind of self-awareness helps with decision-making and personal growth, making you feel more in tune with your values and goals.
However, I am a big believer that everything has two sides so also be aware that isolation can also become toxic. The alure for just quiet, peace or sanctuary can become the primary focus, to escape, to run, to shut the door…
When Being Alone Isn't Helpful
While choosing to spend time alone can be positive, feeling isolated or cut off from others is a different experience. It’s important to recognise the difference between solitude and loneliness.
Loneliness and Isolation Can Affect Your Mental Health
Even if you enjoy your own company, long periods of isolation, especially when it’s not by choice, can begin to take a toll. Loneliness can creep in when you feel left out, forgotten, or disconnected from others, and over time, these feelings can lead to sadness, anxiety, or even depression. Humans are social by nature, and meaningful connections with others isn’t just a ‘nice to have’, it’s a vital part of emotional and mental well-being.
If you notice yourself withdrawing more than usual, feeling persistently low, or avoiding opportunities to connect, even when part of you wants to, these can be early signs that loneliness or isolation is affecting your mental health. Reaching out, even in small ways, can be the first step back to feeling supported and seen.
Finding the Right Balance
Spending time alone can be incredibly healthy—as long as it feels like a choice, not a burden. A quiet walk, reading, journaling, or simply sitting with your thoughts can be calming and restorative. But it’s also just as important to stay connected to friends, family, or your community.
The balance is different for everyone. Some people need more alone time than others, and that’s okay. The key is listening to yourself and making sure your time alone feels nurturing, not isolating.
The goal isn’t to avoid being alone—it’s to make sure your alone time feels positive and refreshing, not sad or isolating. If you enjoy some quiet time to think, relax, or be creative, that’s great! Just make sure you also stay connected to friends, family, or your community so you don’t start to feel cut off from the world.
Final Thoughts
Solitude is one of the most underrated tools for mental wellness. It gives you space to rest, think clearly, and reconnect with who you are. But like anything, it will take practice and patience to gain the most benefit from it, furthermore it works best when it’s balanced with meaningful connection that resonates with who you are, what you enjoy or are passionate about.
In fact, if you’re just starting this journey, you might first need to take a step back and give yourself the time and space to reflect, to really think about what YOU enjoy and what YOU truly want to do!
It’s so important to prioritise ‘you time’. Solitude can be a gentle and powerful part of your self-care routine. By approaching it with intention and kindness, you’ll begin to find peace and clarity in your own company.
Don’t be afraid to carve out moments of quiet for yourself—it’s not selfish. It’s self-care. And often, it’s in those quiet moments that we find the clarity and calm we need to feel truly well.
Dean
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