The impact of being in solitude and how it affects people emotionally

By Rena Zalavadiya 

Introduction 

There are both benefits and drawbacks to isolation regarding your mental health. Although isolation can be beneficial in finding new opportunities, self-discovery, and relaxation, it can also have negative impacts like losing connection and friendship. According to psychologists, being in solitude is very harmful as it increases the risk of doing suicide. 

How does it affect you? (R.Q, K. 2023) 

It is natural for humans to crave connection and social interaction, so being in solitude for too long can have a huge impact on the way your brain works and physical effects. Being isolated for too long can cause an increase in stress levels and also change the way your brain reacts. A study shows how lonely people’s brains reacted more to 

negative words than socially active people. It shows how their brain adjusted to social threats. Additionally, being in isolation can also cause the development of psychiatric disorders. 

The Bad Impacts of Solitude (Booth, 2013) 

- Isolation raises the rate of suicide 

- They are under more stress as they don’t turn to anyone when help is needed/ no one to turn to. 

- Makes people more vulnerable as people don’t get the reassurance needed and thoughts start to build up. 

- It can also cause loneliness which can harm people emotionally and physically - It can lead to depression 

- It also harms your physical health and can reduce the rate of living - It also harms the quality of your sleep 

Solution 

Always have someone to rely on like a family member or even a friend that you can talk to about your thoughts and problems. Spend at least an hour or two every day to talk with a family member or a friend so that you can build a connection with them. See a therapist to discuss your problems. Always make an effort to connect with others even with strangers to avoid total isolation. There will always be someone you can reach out to and give a call to so don’t ever assume that you are alone. 

Conclusion

Being alone can be a great way to figure things out and try new things without anyone interrupting, but being alone for too long can cause many other problems. Even though solitude has its benefits, it is always better to have someone to hang out with and talk about your problems with. It is always better to rely on someone rather than suffer alone. 

References 

Booth, J. H. (2013, December 5). Why Too Much Solitude Can Be Bad For You. AARP. Retrieved from 

https://www.aarp.org/health/healthy-living/info-2017/why-too-much-solitude-can-be-bad for-you.html?msockid=366ed152b90d67fa2025c22fb87f66a9 

R.Q, K. (2023, October 13). What happens in the brain when you’re alone - Headspace. Retrieved from https://www.headspace.com/articles/when-youre-alone