The Benefits of Solitude

Whenever I am overwhelmed by the world and I need a quieting of inner and outer voices, I seek refuge in solitude. When I have a moment of inner silence, the spinning worries on my mind and the problems of the world — soften in the silence. In solitude, I am able to meet my human condition and all my vulnerabilities with tenderness. I can connect with myself, clear my mind and feel a sense of peace where I can awaken my heart and gain the insights of where I need space and where I need to put energy into my life.

Solitude helps to process what’s happening in life with a clearer perspective and sharpened awareness. Did you know there are key benefits to solitude?

• Solitude is good for our natural development to recharge our energies. We need to be engaged and have alone time to develop healthy relationships with ourselves and others.
• Solitude builds our emotional awareness. In solitude, our soul space I call it, we can connect to our heart and understand the natural heart’s callings and we can evaluate and balance our emotions.
• Solitude helps us define and nurture our character and grows our resilience and independence. We can free ourselves from the demands of others and discover our natural and personal likes and dislikes. We can grow our independence in the relationships we cultivate, thus ensuring that we know our identity and how to be responsive in our nature.
• Solitude nourishes our creativity! In solitude, our mind is freer and we can explore the endless possibilities that are a doorway to our creativity. Think about the times you have the most creative ideas, in the shower alone, first waking in the morning. Then the mind is more open and freer to engage in creative expression when you take time to be and allow your thoughts to flow freely.
• The sounds of silence can reduce stress and inflammation. There are a number of positive neurochemicals we get when we go into more quiet and silent states. We build positive brain networks that may create changes in our DNA, producing more positive neurochemicals to reduce inflammation, new neural cell growth and reduce our stress molecules like cortisol and inflammation in the body. We get positive neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine when we build more calming and positive brain states and thinking patterns.

One way I collect myself is by finding some alone time in nature. Nature allows me to quiet my busy mind and come into the present moment where I begin to take in the sounds of nature, watch the birds in the trees, get lost tree gazing and listen to the water flowing in a stream. In nature, there is an undeniable knowing that we are part of something much more than just a single body, part of a vast collective completely interconnected. During these days, I would hike through the forest and, even though I was by myself, I was never alone, for, in the silence of the forest, before the sounds of a bird chirping or flapping its wings, there was a presence, beyond everything. When I found this silence — I knew that even amidst the biggest changes of my life, there was a transformation happening and that my soul was being poked to come to surface, to become more and more alive and to awaken. I could feel how when we silence our minds, the veil of the soul is much thinner and we can identify our true nature and land in the soul-space.

Where do you find the space for inner peace and silence? You might start by imagining ways you could collect yourself and begin your journey of connecting to yourself in solitude. Where would you be when you are allowing yourself to be in solitude? What time of day is best for you? Are there people you will need to tell that you will be in the space of inner silence?

Carve out a routine during the day where you can be in solitude and see all the ways your mind will be cleared and your heart opened. All you need is 20 minutes a day for yourself to collect and find the space to be in solitude and nurture your heart. Find the places you like to be in solitude and explore. You are not being selfish, you are being soulful and cultivating a deeper understanding of yourself. When you take the time to know yourself, you are more aware, open and authentic. This translates to you having more meaningful connections with yourself and all beings.