Life today is bustling and chaotic. You work in the office, work at home and even on vacation.
As technology develops, the world moves faster and faster, and many people burn out trying to keep pace with the times. You are exhausted mentally, physically and emotionally. A common practice and popular theory is that the best way to relieve stress is to do what we like, for example, going shopping, playing sports or an interesting hobby. Yes, all this can be useful. However, being alone with yourself, turning your attention inward is one of the best ways not only to recharge, but also to identify and eliminate unnecessary stressors from your life. Do not be afraid to be alone!
● Active loneliness
Such a time for many people means to sleep all day or socialize. However, there is a difference between just loneliness and active loneliness. When we prefer to remain actively alone, we deliberately set aside time for reflection to stay with our thoughts. This means disconnecting from the Internet, television and any external stimuli. And this is one of the most useful things that we can do for ourselves. It allows us to focus on the things that have caused us stress, and find a way to mitigate this stress. Write down your thoughts!
• Identify specific things that made you upset or feel stressed.
• List all the feelings that you relate to each incident - for example, anger, disappointment, embarrassment, underestimation, etc.
• Write down how you overcome these negative feelings. What did you do to calm down, cheer yourself up and move on? Is it possible to solve this situation? If so, how?
• Write down ways in which you can avoid stress factors in general, and the necessary steps to resolve the situation and calm yourself.
• And last but most importantly, always finish your entries with a list of things for which you are grateful. It maintains good mental and emotional health.
Such records allow you to sort, process and comprehend your feelings, and also help to develop a plan for counteracting the negative.
● Active solitude gives you the opportunity to be fully present in the present
It helps you to eliminate distractions, completely to be present in the present and to be in harmony with it. Active loneliness makes you aware of what you are doing, feeling and thinking. When you are constantly worried about the future or suffering over the past, you forget about the beauty and possibilities that are in front of you right now. Therefore, spend time alone with your thoughts, and you will find that your state of mind is changing, and your mood and worldview are improving.
● Preparing for time in active loneliness
Remove all distractions. Go to a quiet place (beach, park, forest) and sit outside. Leave your phone at home or turn it off to avoid unnecessary temptations. During such a stay with yourself, write down your thoughts. If you have plans to eat lunch or chat with friends, allocate time before or after communication, to disconnect from the outside world and delve into yourself. Over time, it will become your habit.
● Being alone with yourself does not mean being lonely
In life there are always moments when you are completely exhausted, but to leave for a week in the Bahamas for a reboot is unrealistic. Therefore, learn to create your own oasis of calm right where you are. Allocate time for yourself. Do not view such solitude as a manifestation of weakness. This does not mean that you cut yourself off from your social circle. In fact, this form of mental exercise in the form of active loneliness not only refreshes the mind, but also helps restore the spirit in order to feel calm, recover and begin moving on.
