Why being alone can be good for you

Why being alone can be good for you

Up next

The benefits of being idle

In her new book Going to Seed, Kate J. Neville reflects on the value of being idle, and the importance of escaping the busyness that builds up around family, work and social demands. 

Haida Gwaii’s future, Haida Gwaii’s past

Generations of Indigenous people have fought to protect the land and culture of Haida Gwaii, and this year the Haida Nation has reclaimed stewardship of that land in a historic agreement. Matt Galloway went there to hear what this means for the archipelago’s future — from uncerta ...  Show more

Recommended Episodes

The benefits of solitude, with Thuy-vy Nguyen, PhD, and Netta Weinstein, PhD
Speaking of Psychology

The average American adult spends up to one-third of their waking hours alone. Psychologists are exploring how those hours spent on our own affect us – including the potential benefits, as well as the challenges, of solitude. Thuy-vy Nguyen, PhD, and Netta Weinstein, PhD, discuss ...  Show more

Feeling Lonely? Your Brain May Process The World Differently
Short Wave

The U.S. is in the midst of a loneliness epidemic. And for a lot of people, the feeling is even more pronounced during the holidays. In addition to its emotional impact, chronic loneliness and social isolation have some dramatic health consequences: increased risk of heart diseas ...  Show more

Ep. 303: "The most lonely group are young people" - Ep. 303: "Il gruppo più solo è quello dei giovani"
Slow Italian, Fast Learning - Slow Italian, Fast Learning

Studies have shown that social isolation and loneliness can be the root causes of several health conditions. And while social isolation and loneliness are similar, health experts say there are important distinctions. - Alcuni studi hanno dimostrato che l'isolamento sociale e la s ...  Show more

Are we in a ‘loneliness pandemic’? With Louise Hawkley, PhD
Speaking of Psychology

Even before the COVID-19 pandemic scrambled our social connections, Americans were worried about an epidemic of loneliness. Louise Hawkley, PhD, principal research scientist at NORC at the University of Chicago, talks about the difference between being alone and being lonely, how ...  Show more