Why being a loner may be good for your health

[shenmue]

http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20180228-there-are-benefits-to-being-antisocial-or-a-loner

I think this article is crap. Thought I'd post it here because of the title. Some may be interested.

[Cattledog]

1. Interesting article, most creative leaps in art, science, etc. are the result of "deep focus".

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

2. I don't agree that it's crap. It makes a lot of sense to me.

[Skittles]

3. I know I don't get sick nearly as often as really sociable folk

[dixiegrrrrl]

4. Here's the problem with that article..

"loneliness has the same risk level for premature death as diabetes."

Loneliness is not the same as ALONEness.

We have a social construct/value that stresses/values being..well, sociable. That's the belied "norm", and there is little support for being a deep introvert.
As an introvert, I hear all the time well meaning people say things like " you should get out and see more people"
"It's not good to spend so much time by yourself".
" I'd go nuts if I had to spend as much by myself as you do" ( There's a telling comment).

Again, confusing loneliness with just being alone most of the time.

Many studies have been done that show introverts do better when they can BE introverts, and the same for extroverts who can be around others. It's really that simple.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

5. The article did make that distinction.

Still, the line between useful solitude and dangerous isolation can be blurry. “Almost anything can be adaptive and maladaptive, depending on how extreme they get,” Feist says. A disorder has to do with dysfunction. If someone stops caring about people and cuts off all contact, this could point to a pathological neglect of social relations. But creative unsociability is a far cry from this.

Being alone can activate a part of the brain that helps our ability to form social bonds. In fact, Feist says, “there’s a real danger with people who are never alone.” It’s hard to be introspective, self-aware, and fully relaxed unless you have occasional solitude. In addition, introverts tend to have fewer but stronger friendships – which has been linked to greater happiness.