Have you ever wondered what the opposite of loneliness is? Given that Valentine’s Day is near and it looks like the pandemic will never end, this may seem like a strange question to ask.
However, many of you in these moments, for one reason or another, may find themselves in the category of lonely and / or those who want to be alone.
The opposite of loneliness
Loneliness has been well researched in the social sciences, given its negative effects on mental and physical health, and has generally been defined as the subjective feeling of dissatisfaction with interpersonal and social relationships . But is there a "mirror image"? Can anyone feel the dissatisfaction that comes from not having spent enough time alone?
Psychologist Dr. Rob Coplan and his colleagues conducted a series of studies to better understand the feelings of the deceased "deprived of loneliness" and the sight of loneliness, as a kind of pleasure.
How to know if you are "alone" or alone:
Many researches have shown that "looking for solitude" can be useful if it is sought after willingly and if it is enjoyed in moderation and is a time in balance with the time you spend with other people and not only.
It is also known that some people want to be alone more than others, and when this is not related to social shyness or anxiety, it can be a good thing to do.
The researchers distributed a questionnaire with questions such as, "Would it be nice if I could spend more time alone each day," or "I wish I was alone more often."
The bad news is that high scores of loneliness and the desire to stay alone were positively associated with stress and a general dissatisfaction with life.
Lajmi i mirë është se: Nga ana tjetër, studiuesit zbuluan gjithashtu se për njerëzit që identifikohen si shumë të vetmuar, por jo detyrimisht kërkonin të qëndronin vetëm, sa më shumë kohë që kalonin në vetmi, aq më mirë ndiheshin. Me fjalë të tjera, shërimi nga të ndjerit “i vetmuar” është të kaloni më shumë kohë vetëm (me veten). Ky zbulim mund të duket i qartë, por në praktikë, mund të jetë mjaft i vështirë të zbatohet.
Çfarë të bëni sipas studiuesve, në të gjitha rastet:
- Planifikoni “kohë të qëndrimit vetëm” dhe të “socializimit”, për t’u siguruar se të dyja janë në balancë.
- Qëllimi është të shmangni “ciklin degjenerues negativ”, i cili ndodh për shembull, në rastet ku ju nuk gjeni kohë për të qenë vetëm dhe kjo ju rrit stresin dhe pakënaqësinë ndaj jetës.
- See the quality of the time you spend alone. Even short moments that you spend with yourself, you can make them valuable and meaningful if you want.
Research shows that teens who spend time with themselves, reading or doing healthy activities are less likely to feel "lonely".
Most importantly, if you felt guilty because you want to leave and be yourself, you have no reason. Instead of thinking of loneliness as a luxury or a selfish pleasure, listen to what the study says: It is important for your well-being.
Source: Psychology Today
