“Do not confuse solitude with loneliness. One builds and the other destroys.”
-匿名的
如果您一个人居住，您可能会对自己的生活状况有很多不请自来，善意的评论：“我只是不知道您是如何独自生活的。你不孤单吗？”
我们的社会长期以来一直污名化，通过将孤独等同于孤独来独自生活。作为社会生物，我们忘记了有些人实际上确实喜欢并且选择独自生活。或有时生活环境，例如亲人的死亡，创造了孤独的生活。
Ironically during the pandemic, however, many of us have been confronted with alone time in one way or another. Whether you’requarantining, staying home because you are high-risk or helping slow the spread ofCOVID-19, we’re all grappling with this newfound solitude. Our usually packed calendars have given way to more time at home, which means more time to confront head-on our relationship with “me, myself and I.” For some, it’s been liberating and empowering. For others, it’s been tough and lonely.
While many of us interchange solitude and loneliness, both are actually distinctly different. Here’s how.
“One is a choice; the other is a feeling,” said Adeola Adelayo, MD, a practicing psychiatrist with横幅Behavioral Health Hospital。“Solitude is an active practice or a conscious choice that you have control over. Whereas, loneliness feels passive, almost as if it’s happening to you.”
孤独是要对自己感到满意，而孤独是一个人，不喜欢它。虽然有大量的研究指向physical, psychological and mental downsides孤独,是一个增加amount of evidence that solitude can be beneficial.
Those who embrace solitude, are able to get into a “state of engagement with themselves, to self-reflect, regenerate and discover,” Dr. Adelayo said. “They have mental resiliency and fortitude, which can bode them well in times like these. It’s in solitude, where they can discover, create and grow as a person, as a friend and loved one.”
您如何拥抱孤独或孤独的时间？
对于许多人来说，“孤独”和“孤独的时间”一词令人恐惧，但不必这样做。与自己和自己的想法共度时光有很多价值。但是也许问题是您只是不知道该怎么做。如果您想建立自己的孤独肌肉，则有三种开始的小方法。
- Get up early.A key way to make sure you get quality alone time is to start your day earlier than the rest of your household. If you’re already an early bird, this should be easier to put into practice. Take this time for yourself: grab a coffee or tea, journal or read a good book. Avoid reaching for your phone or social media and focus on uninterrupted time doing something you enjoy that’s just for you.
- Go for a walk alone.If the weather outside isn’t frightful, then take advantage of the fresh air.Walking has been provento help lift your mood and reduces stress and anxiety. Even if it’s just around the block, focus on the music you may be listening to, the scenery around you and take slow, mindful breaths.
- 与技术断开连接。We may be more connected with others, but are we connected with ourselves? Take time in your day to turn off the TV,put away your phone and disconnect。无论是早晨的第一件事，还是晚上晚餐后，都要利用“沉默”来思考，创造和真正地与您的想法相处。电力也可以帮助战斗FOMO（害怕错过）和孤独感，并有助于提高创造力。
How do you manage loneliness?
Just because you are embracing solitude, doesn’t mean you might not feel lonely from time to time, especially during a pandemic. If you’re experiencing loneliness, here are some things you can do about it:
- Keep a daily schedule or checklist of things to accomplish
- Talk to a trusted friend or family member about how you feel
- 在公园或当地的绿色空间观看人是一种与外界联系的绝佳且安全的方式
- Take care of yourself: Get plenty of rest, eat healthy and limit alcohol consumption
- 服用socially distanced和朋友一起散步
- Volunteer your time, either in-person or virtually
If you need help right now
Is loneliness making you feel overwhelmed, depressed or anxious and you need help or support? Don’t suffer in silence. While it’s normal to feel afraid and lonely at a time like this, worsening mental health could indicate the need for outside help. Talk to your医生or reach out to amental health professional。
