Being alone has its benefits. Take it from some of the world’s most intelligent folks.
There are two kinds of single people: those who are unattached for now and actively searching for “the one” and those who deliberately choose to be alone and live their best life ever. If the former are your kind of people, then here’s another reason to be single and proud: study shows that folks who love their “alone time” have stronger brains than everyone else.
While spending time in isolation may seem boring or unproductive for some, a neuroscientist is making a convincing case for why it leads to a stronger brain. Joseph Jebelli from the University College London researched the impact of “alone time and rest” on the brain, which led him to the revelation that these are actually keys to groundbreaking work and being your best self
In the article Jeblli wrote for CNBC Make It, the neuroscientist said that “solitude can boost creativity by offering the necessary space for ideas to flourish.” From simple tasks such as praying, meditating, or gardening to creative ones like writing, playing the piano, or painting, “being alone is what the brain needs” for it to perform well, he states.
Jebbli explained how this occurs: “In these moments of isolation, the default network is busy forging new synaptic connections, strengthening our skills and ability to absorb new information, and nurturing our creativity more effectively.” So, while you are in what could be considered as a state of rest or, for workaholics, a time of being unproductive, your brain is doing a lot for work not just for now, but for the future.
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Take it from the some of the most intelligent people in the world, who frequently spend time in soltitude and, from there, developed innovations that changed the way we humans live. Jebbli’s first example is Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates. In the early days of his widely successful company, Gates would take a week out of his schedule twice a year to have what he called “Think Week.” Here, the tech innovator would retreat to a cabin with nothing more than books. “No outside visitors were allowed, including family and employees,” Jebelli noted. One of these Think Weeks resulted in the development of Internet Explorer.
Then there is Reinaissance painter and intellectual Leonardo da Vinci. He “was a contemplative genius, reportedly staring at The Last Supper for hours before adding a single brush stroke and walking away,” Jebelli reported. And he could forget the great Isaac Newton? It was during isolation, while Cambridge University was closed because of the Great Plague, that the devoted scientist developed the Newton’s Law of Gravity.
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And while spending time alone is easier said than done in this era of connectivity and fear of missing out, it’s fairly simple to get into, according to Jeblli. The neuroscientist recommends starting with as little as 10 minutes of “alone time” per day. “Find a quiet spot where you can be undisturbed, and use this time to simply sit and breathe. This small step can help ease the brain into a state of relaxation and begin the process of activating the default network,” he noted.
It would also help to incorporate small habits “that encourage mindfulness” into your routine. Some examples include journaling and doing yoga. And if you do need to socialize —because hey, a single person’s got to enjoy time with their friends !—ensure that it’s “meaningful, good-quality socializing,” Jeblli recommends.
And, of course, nothing is as refreshing than going on a solo travel far from your daily routine, deadlines, and everyone else bugging you to get into a relationship. The neuroscientist explained, “Immersing yourself in a new environment can be incredibly liberating. It forces you out of your comfort zone, stimulates senses in unexpected ways, and provides the perfect backdrop for introspection and creativity.”
So whether your goal is to be the next Bill Gates or just enjoy the perks of being single, spending time alone is always a good idea to unlocking your best, unstoppable self, both for yourself and others.
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