Is it unhealthy to be alone?

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   stuff4kidsposted 11 years ago

   Is it unhealthy to be alone?
   
   

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   Sue B.posted 11 years ago

   Interesting question.
   
   Is it unhealthy to be alone?  No, but can it be? Sure.
   
   Being alone all the time is unhealthy.  Human beings, by nature, are social creatures and need social interactions and relationships.
   
   Finding a balance between being with others and being alone would be the healthiest option.  People are complicated.  Each person would have their own unique combination of alone time and social time that feels right to them.
   
   Being alone is temporarily isolating ourselves may be a healthy behavior.  For many, this is a form of meditation, emotional regulation, or a time to clear one's mind.
   
   What could make being alone unhealthy is not the actual state of being alone, but rather, our interpretation of what being alone means to us at that time.  Does this make us lonely? Do we feel disconnected?  Do we feel unworthy of love?  Do we feel rejected?  Is being alone depression?  Are we alone when we need the support from others the most?

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   sprickitaposted 11 years ago

   This is a open ended question, until you fill in the variables ..... Is it unhealthy to be alone. idk u tell me?....  If your the gal in the picture and your asking that question; im going to go out on a limb and answer yes! . Then I would ask you to step away from the cliff (little cliff or not look at that water go)
   It is a good and healthy thing for people to have some alone time, even if we don't want alone time. There are things we deal with involuntarily or subconsciously when we get sum me time . In the same respect sum alone time may be health as much as extended alone time can be bad or cause stress as you detach yourself from your life, from your world.

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   mbwalzposted 11 years ago

   I think good mental health starts with balance. Balance of many things but in this case, balance of time/space to just "be" and then time with friends and family. Humans are social beings, but healing and introspection and processing can not be done in the chaotic world of socializing and family life. So, yes - it's unhealthy to be alone all the time. And, no - it's not unhealthy to be alone for periods of time on a regular basis.

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   gmwilliamsposted 11 years ago

   
   
   No, it is not unhealthy to be alone.  However in this society, there is a strong emphasis on being part of a group.  This extroverted based society strongly maintains that people MUST be part of a group to be considered normal.  Children are strongly inculcated with the premise that it is good to be social and to belong.   In this society, being part of a group and belonging has its intrinsic and extrinsic rewards.  When one belongs to a group, he/she feels accepted and part of the group consensus.  He/she feels emotional and psychological support that being part of the group brings.
   
   In this society, the very worst thing is being alone.  Being alone has such negative connotations associated with it.  To many people being alone is analogous to be cast into some type o inferno where there is unending suffering and voidness.  As a result of this fear of being alone, many people would DO ANYTHING, even negative, in order to belong to a group.  This also applies to children and young people.  Many oftentimed do deleterious things in order to be accepted into a group and to belong. 
   
   Introverts and loners are often castigated and ostracized in this extroverted based society.  People look askance at those who wish to be alone and not socialize as much.  Introverts and loners are viewed as having something amiss, needing counselling and help in order to become more sociable hence normal.  How many times are introverted people and those who are loners are told to SOCIALIZE more.  Well, some people are naturally introverted and prefer to be alone.  Yes, there are people who exist independently of others.  They are happy being alone and indulging in their hobbies.  Some people just do not want friends and to be surrounded by people.  That's fine.  There is nothing strange and abnormal regarding that.  Each person is different.  Some people are gregarious and MUST be around people while others are quite happy leading a solitary existence.

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   fpherj48posted 11 years ago

   Hello, Stuff......IMO, it's quite the contrary, providing we can clarify a few aspects on this topic.   I wouldn't imagine it is very beneficial for an individual to be alone, on a lengthy, constant basis.  After all, we are social animals and the interaction of humans is a crucial part of a happy, healthy existence.
   However, it should be no secret to any of us that "alone time" is also very beneficial, at particular times, under various circumstances.  For me, it is a gift I give myself, to seek out secluded hide-aways, so to speak....and shut out the activities, noises and interruptions, for a much-needed peaceful retreat.
   If you are referring to being "single," when you ask this question,  I'd have to say that if one chooses to live alone, unmarried or without a life-partner, there should be nothing unhealthy about this.   There is a huge difference to being alone and choosing to be secluded or live a hermit-like existence.   I imagine the latter may not be an ideal situation for long term mental and emotional health.   This being said, I'm sure there are those who would dispute this and/or have done just fine in their decision to live in solitude.   Personally, I seriously treasure my alone-time, but have a need for socializing with family and friends....and I LOVE conversation.......Great question!   Thanks for asking.

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   quildonposted 11 years ago

   It depends on why you are alone. For most people if they live long enough, they will find themselves alone at some time. Spouses die or leave us, children move out of the nest, friends leave us for whatever reason. However, man is a gregarious animal. He (she) was not created to be alone all the time. So I would say, yes, for the person who chooses to isolate himself, it is unhealthy. If, however, you find yourself alone for reasons listed above, then you should take some steps to seek out companionship. Join a group, engage in a hobby where you can meet people, volunteer, take a class. There are countless ways to avoid constant loneliness. On the flip side, always wanting to be part of a crowd can also be unhealthy. If you lead a busy life, you should schedule some alone time - for reflection, prayer, meditation, or just plain relaxation.

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      gmwilliamsposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Alone is not a 4-letter word. We are born alone  So many people are socialized & inculcated to believe that being alone is a mortal sin.You are right;at many points in life, we will be ALONE. Such time should be used as reflection &growth, no

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   Sri Tposted 11 years ago

   No, in fact, it can be very empowering. Most of the great seers, sages and spiritual masters have spent most of their lives in solitude. Through the process of meditation, they were able to transcend the world. They attained the highest states of bliss with no distractions. They became enlightened with the highest wisdom. They also came into the understanding that you are really always alone in your own consciousness. Everything you see outside of yourself is an illusion that will disappear someday. They discovered independent bliss, peace and total freedom from the world. A certain wholeness is available in being alone. Once you lock into that oneness, then you can mix with the world without being affected by it. So being alone is healthy and it can be very healing as well. You also get to find out who you really are without outside opinions.

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      gmwilliamsposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      In TOTAL and UTTER agreement with this enlightening and insightful premise.In westernized and modernized society,there is an overemphasis on socialization while being alone is often demonized and viewed as a mental aberration which the latter isn't!

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      quildonposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Sounds like escapism to me. What do they do with all that empowerment they acquired through being alone. Keep it locked up to themselves?

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      Sri Tposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Not really. First they remove the negativity that the world planted in them. They create their own world of bliss. Freedom and enlightenment comes automatically. Spiritual teachers help others free themselves from themselves. Happiness is within

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      jonnycomelatelyposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      A very understandable question from Quildon which was then answered so well and honestly by Sri T.

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   DDEposted 11 years ago

   If you choose to be alone it is not unhealthy but if you spend time alone because you haven't made any friends and could have then  loneliness can get the better of you

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      gmwilliamsposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      INDEED!

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      quildonposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      My thoughts exactly.

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10. 82

    elayne001posted 11 years ago

    My grandmother was alone after grandpa died for several years. She would put the pot on to boil, and then forgot that she did it several times. She also said that there were some willowy people that would follow her around and bump into her when she stopped. It all seemed quite natural to her. Finally she went to live with my mother who watched over her 24/7. I think it can be very dangerous for older people, especially when they are getting forgetful. Also they can slip and fall and no one would know. My father now lives alone, and I worry about him continuously. I plan to go and stay with him soon. Personally, I like my alone time, but after a while you just need to talk to a person and get some feedback.

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11. 73

    jennshealthstoreposted 11 years ago

    I think that we all need to be alone at some point. When we are alone it gives us time to learn more about ourselves, to be quiet and figure things out. Whether it is a little bit of alone time each day, or for a long period of time after the loss of a relationship or friendship.
    
    Some people are just natural loners and prefer to be alone. But I think that companionship is very important. Even if you do not wish to be in a relationship, having a person to confide in and talk to is very healthy.
    
    So overall I would say balance is the key.

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12. 79

    Diana Leeposted 11 years ago

    When people are so bitter toward others that they have no friends or their relatives don't stay close, it is a sad unhealthy way to live. Lonely people become victims to themselves as their mind plays tricks on them.
    
    For normal people time to themselves now and then is important.  After all what writer ever wrote in a crowded room?  Some people beg for alone time just to think things through.

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    old albionposted 11 years ago

    A very good question. Some of us need the company of others, we gravitate to others naturally. Some crave the bright lights the nightlife and more. Others are the total opposite, they crave silence the sound of a bubbling stream and fields of green. Our attitudes and actions depend on our moods at any given moment.
    I think the best of us need time to reflect on our life.
    Therefore it seems to me that we should take the road of live and let live, people are people, we are all on the river of life.

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    epbooksposted 11 years ago

    If you don't mind being alone, then I don't think it is unhealthy.  However, if you generally enjoy people but find that you are constantly alone, it can certainly be upsetting/depressing.  Some people love being alone.  For me, I need a balance.  I definitely cherish some alone time with my thoughts and to get things done, but I do like socializing with people that I get along with or have something in common with.

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    Michelle Widmannposted 11 years ago

    Being alone on occasion is good for you - gives you time to collect your thoughts and reflect on your own goals, how you've been living, etc. But if a person is alone for the majority of their lives, it isn't healthy. It causes the person affected to not only become more self-centred when they're in social situations, but it mentally affects them in a way that gets them considering their mistakes too much and can cause a practically permanent depressive state.

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    jeugenejohnposted 11 years ago

    If you are comfortable being with yourself, there is nothing wrong in it. Also some private time is required, for us to get energized.

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    CrescentSkiesposted 11 years ago

    Generally yes, but people with certain mental states (very rare mental states I might add) are actually completely fine with long periods of complete isolation. You can also adapt yourself to be fine with it but it'll damage your ability to cope with society in the process.

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    Borsiaposted 11 years ago

    Alone or lonely?
    There is nothing unhealthy about being alone but being lonely is.
    If you choose to be alone and are happy with it then it's fine. On the other hand if you are alone because you are avoided by others there may be something wrong.

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    jeffreymaskelposted 11 years ago

    Absolutely not!  Everyone is different in their own way.  It is only unhealthy socially if your balance is off.  At certain times I would rather not be around anyone; while other times it is the polar opposite.  Different strokes for different folks.

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    breathingposted 11 years ago

    When people are alone then they suffer from depression. They can not do anything new. To suffer bother. They can not do good behave with anyone. They fail to represent their good qualities to others. Day by day it kills the creativity of a human. After few years they are attacked by Diabetes and hypertension. So, it is unhealthy to be alone.

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    brakel2posted 11 years ago

    It is only unhealthy to be alone if you seldom get out and have no support system. You must have a life, so you do not become depressed. Neighbors, family and friends must be a part of your life. You must be able to laugh and converse with others to have a healthy lifestyle. It is also good for you to do exercise and have hobbies. Those people who do not have these contacts and who do not eat healthy foods will probably have a short life span or become mentally ill. I know of a person like this who became mentally ill. So socialize, eat well, laugh,love,  and move.

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    Penny Gposted 10 years ago

    Humans were meant to be around other humans. Being alone sometimes is OK, but constant alone as in solitary confinement effects mental health in a negative way.

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