Survey Says: Solitude is Essential For Mental Health during the Holiday Season

Graphic by Alejandro Ramos. Photo by madison lavern on Unsplash

By Leah Harris

The holiday season is filled with expectations of joy and cheer. But between increased time with extended family, other social obligations, and the cost of gift-giving, it can also be a time of significant stress for Americans.

According to a 2023 survey by the American Heart Association, 63% of respondents considered the holiday season to be more stressful than tax season!

A new survey from Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center found that 46% of respondents cited a lack of alone time as the reason for their holiday stress. Further, 56% said that solitude was vital for their mental health. Here are some simple tips for carving out the alone time your brain requires this busy holiday season. 

Take short, quiet breaks during the day.  Solitude breaks need not be lengthy; even brief minutes of rest between activities can have a beneficial impact. "People are overwhelmed by the expectations of the holidays, which can lead to burnout," said Dr. Brian Meier, one of the study’s authors. "Having a few moments alone to recharge can help reduce that stress and prevent feelings of being overwhelmed," Meier added. 

Don’t neglect your personal hobbies or activities. It’s tempting to give up your nature walks, reading, or artistic pursuits during the busy holiday season, but engaging in solo activities can be a simple way to recharge. Researcher Dr. Elizabeth Armstrong told Well + Good that "alone time offers a crucial opportunity to decompress and reflect." Engaging in these hobbies or activities allows you to experience moments of peace without the pressure of others’ expectations. 

Give your friends and family a heads up. During the holidays, you can let your loved ones in advance when you’ll be taking breaks. This helps to manage expectations in advance and avoid any last minute surprises. According to Neuroscience News, alone time helps us to maintain a “sense of control,” which can be critical when navigating social obligations. It can be as simple as saying something like, “I’m really looking forward to spending time with everyone this holiday season, but I’ll also need a bit of quiet time to recharge in between events.”

Solitude, which is very different from loneliness, is a key ingredient for mental wellness —especially in times of increased stress. While it can be challenging to find the balance, the key to reducing burnout and overwhelm in the holiday season is to schedule and prioritize rest and quiet times when you do not need to be “on.” Giving yourself permission to rest and recharge during the holidays may even inspire your loved ones to practice taking healthy breaks for themselves as well. 


For further exploration: 

• New survey finds 56% say 'alone time' is vital to their mental health (Ohio State University)
  
• New Survey Finds 56% of People Crave More ‘Alone Time’ for Mental Health, Especially During the Holidays (Well + Good)
  
• Alone Time Helps Reduce Holiday Stress (Neuroscience News)
  
• The mental health paradox: Amid the loneliness epidemic, most say they need alone time to feel better this holiday season (Fortune)
  

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Leah Harris is a non-binary, queer, neurodivergent, disabled Jewish writer, facilitator, and organizer working in the service of truth-telling, justice-doing, and liberation. They’ve had work published in the New York Times, CNN, and Pacific Standard. You can learn more about their work at their website and follow them on Instagram.