People feel better if they’re alone by choice rather than being forced to be with others

Social connection is critical to our overall wellness as people. Having time to yourself, on the other hand, is essential for personal growth and development. So, which do you prefer?

According to a new study conducted by experts at Israel’s Bar-Ilan University, the element of choice in our daily social contacts is critical to our well-being. Findings show that people are happier when they are on their alone than when they are in a group. However, being in the company of people on a voluntary basis has been shown to be the most effective way of boosting one’s sense of well-being at any particular time.

According to a new study published in the Journal of Happiness Studies, our sense of choice of being with others (or alone) is a key element in determining how we feel in these situations. Choice matters more “with others” than “alone,” according to the study because shared experiences are more potent.

The study consisted of two parts: an experiment that modified social context and decision status, and a ten-day experience-sampling study that investigated these factors in real-world contexts.

A total of 155 students were investigated in the experience-sampling study. For 10 days, each participant reported on episodic social encounters three times a day. In each “sample,” participants were asked to describe their social status (alone/with others), whether they were in this scenario by choice or not, and their sentiments (positive or negative emotion, satisfaction, sense of meaning, and sense of control).

More than 4,200 reports of episodic incidents were submitted in total. People were with others 60 percent of the time and alone 40 percent of the time in these situations. In 64 percent of the cases, they were in these situations by choice, and in 36 percent, they were not. This means that the students spend around a third of their waking hours in unplanned social (or alone) situations.

Participants said that being in the company of people made them happier than being alone. However, there were significant disparities in how people interacted with each other. When in the company of others by choice, the greatest degree of happiness was felt, but when in the company of others not by choice, the lowest degree of happiness was felt.

Social circumstances intensify emotions, whereas being alone is associated with calmer feelings and a more relaxed overall experience, according to previous research.

“The current research expands upon these conclusions by learning about people’s experiences in real life, outside the lab, and by addressing the choice element as an important moderating factor,” said the authors. “In both cases, social experiences are more intense, for better or worse.”

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