The monotony and solitude of a quiet life stimulates the creative mind.” ~Albert Einstein
You may think you’ve racked up enough alone time over the past few years to last a lifetime, but having regular stints of private time is actually good for our souls.
In fact, we read in Psalm 62:5 where King David wrote these words: “Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him.” Even in his younger years—as a shepherd and psalmist—David knew the secret to gaining proper perspective came from listening to God in the quiet spaces of life.
The benefits of solitude can begin early
When my son was in preschool, the term “alone time” was often suggested by teachers when they sensed a child needed time to refocus and get in a better attitude and relationship with others in the classroom.
Normally, these children were guided to a quiet space in their room where they could look at picture books, work with manipulative toys, or do another quiet activity alone. This method worked wonders in calming their spirit—allowing them to eventually move forward in happiness with other class-wide activities.
The same is true for adults! Sometimes we need an attitude adjustment or change in perspective which can easily come from taking a little time alone for internal reflection.
Are you overdue for some solitude?
If you see yourself in the following list—more often than not—you may be due for some much-needed quiet time alone. Perhaps you have felt:
- Irritable
- Depressed
- Anxious
- Stressed out
- Overwhelmed
- Easily distracted
- Unproductive
- Uncaring about others
- Overly competitive
Alone time is good?
If it seems strange to stop the noise clutter and walk away for a few minutes of renewal and reflection, there’s a reason for your hesitancy. In our culture, we are inundated with messages of surrounding ourselves with other people and outside distractions as much as possible. The rationale is that the “noise” will guard us against isolation and help with our socialization skills.
However, studies show that taking a few minutes each day for some time alone will actually improve time spent later with people!
Solitude can be helpful because it can:
- Increase productivity
If you work in an open office environment, you know the noise level is non-productive to your tasks. Most people in that situation end up wearing earbuds to drown the excessive talking, phones, and other clamors out as much as possible. If you’re in this work setting, try scheduling several breaks each day to walk outdoors or to another quiet area for five to fifteen minutes. Even small amounts of time alone can help clear our thoughts.
- Strengthen creativity
We often hear of “creative types” heading to the mountains or other private places to work on their music, books, and vision. There’s a reason for this! Being alone with your thoughts gives your brain a chance to wander, which can help you become more imaginative and inspired.
- Boost goal-setting
Getting some quiet time eliminates noise so we are better equipped to hear God’s words to our hearts as He quietly speaks direction into life goals and plans for the future. Giving ourselves the occasional gift of solitude allows us to be closer in touch with our own thoughts and wishes rather than only hearing other people speak of their desires for us.
- Intensify focus
Even short stints of solitude can calm our spirits and help refocus our attitudes, behavior, and thoughts to be in a better place. With the stress we encounter each day at home, work (and certainly in traffic)—moments of aloneness, or downtime, are priceless!
How to relax in quiet time for yourself:
- Set your alarm fifteen minutes earlier to be “alone” in your thoughts as you begin each day.
- Schedule alone walking time throughout your day, especially if you can find a quiet park or a safe, uncrowded walkway.
- Pray, read your Bible, and/or journal how the Lord guides your thoughts.
- Read calming, enjoyable content and reflect on it throughout your day.
- Drink your coffee or tea outdoors in the morning or late evening with no other sounds but nature.
- If you have an office door, close it for ten to fifteen minutes a few times each day in order to get refocused on necessary priorities.
- Read a book thirty minutes before bedtime rather than watching TV or looking at social media sites which may cause overstimulation to your thoughts.
We all desire for life to simply make sense—which is difficult when there is too much noise-clutter around us. As we look for peace and understanding in our thoughts and experiences, it’s good to remember King David’s prayer that “we wait quietly before God . . . because our hope is in him” (Psalm 62:5, emphasis added).