The Benefits of Solitude

A) I can be a reluctant socialism. I'm sometimes secretly pleased when social plans are called off. I get restless a few hours into a hangout. I even once went on a free 10-day silent meditation(冥 想)retreat—not for the meditation, but for the silence.

B) So I can relate to author Angeline Rufus, who wrote in Party of One: The Loners' Manifesto. "When parents on TV shows punished their kids by ordering them to go to their rooms, I was confused. I loved my room. Being there behind a locked door was a treat. To me a punishment was being ordered to play games with my cousin Louis."

C) Unsocial tendencies like these are often far from ideal. Abundant research shows the harms of social isolation, considered a serious public health problem in countries that have rapidly ageing populations(though talk of a 'loneliness epidemic' may be exaggerated). In the UK, the Royal College of general Practitioners says that loneliness has the same risk level for premature death as diabetes. strong social connections are important for cognitive functioning, motor function and a smoothly running immune system.

D) This is especially clear from cases of extreme social isolation. Examples of people kept in captivity, children kept isolated in abusive orphanages, and prisoners kept in solitary confinement all show how prolonged solitude can lead to hallucinations(幻觉)and other forms of mental instability.

E) But these are severe and involuntary cases of aloofness. For those of us who just prefer plenty of alone time, emerging research suggests some good news: there are upsides to being alone-for both our work lives and our emotional well-being.

F) Solitude is a time for reflection, for thinking about things more deeply. In a world increasingly focused on speed and competitiveness, solitude is precious and something to be treasured. And there are benefits in learning to love your solitude.

G) One key benefit of solitude is improved creativity. Gregory Deist, who focuses on the psychology of creativity at California's San Jose state University, has defined creativity as thinking or activity with two key elements: originality and usefulness. He has found that personality traits commonly associated with creativity are openness (receptiveness to new thoughts and experiences), self-confidence, and autonomy-which may include "a lack of concern for social norms" and "a preference for being alone". In fact, Deist's research on both artists and scientists shows that one of the most prominent features of creative folks is their lesser interest in socialism.

H) One reason for this is that such people are likely to spend sustained time alone working on their craft. Plus, Deist says, many artists "are trying to make sense of their internal world and a lot of internal personal experiences that they're trying to give expression and meaning to through their art." Solitude allows for the reflection and observation necessary for that creative process.

I) A recent justification of these ideas came from university at Buffalo psychologist Julie Booker, who researches social withdrawal. Social withdrawal is usually categorical into three types: shyness caused by fear or anxiety; avoidance, from a dislike of socialism; and accountability, from a preference for solitude. A paper by Booker and her colleagues was the first to show that a type of social withdrawal could have a positive effect-they found that creativity was linked specifically to accountability. They also found that accountability had no correlation with aggression (shyness and avoidance did). This was significant because while previous research had suggested that accountability might be harmless, Booker and colleagues' paper showed that it could actually be beneficial. Unsociable people are likely to be "having just enough interaction," Booker says. "They have a preference for being alone, but they also don't mind being with others."

J) Still, it turns out that solitude is important for more than creativity. It's commonly believed that leaders need to be sociable. But this depends, among other things, on the personalities of their employees. One 2011 study showed that in branches of a pizza chain where employees were more passive, outgoing bosses were associated with higher profits. But in branches where employees were more active, introverted(内向的) leaders were more effective. One reason for this is that introverted people are less likely to feel threatened by strong personalities and suggestions. They're also more likely to listen.

K) Since ancient times, meanwhile, people have been aware of a link between isolation and mental focus. After all, cultures with traditions of religious hermits(隐 士)believe that solitude is important for enlightenment. Recent research has given us a better understanding of why. One benefit of accountability is the brain's state of active mental rest, which goes hand-in-hand with the stillness of being alone. When another person is present, your brain can't help but pay some attention. This can be a positive distraction. But it's still a distraction. L) Daydreaming in the absence of such distractions activates the brain's default-mode network.

Among other functions, this network helps to consolidate memory and understand others' emotions. Giving free rein to a wandering mind not only helps with focus in the long term but strengthens your sense of both yourself and others. Paradoxically, therefore, periods of solitude actually help when it comes time to social once more. And the occasional absence of focus ultimately helps concentration in the long run.

M) A more recent advocate of thoughtful and productive solitude is Susan Cain, author of Quiet: The power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking and founder of Quiet Revolution, a company that promotes quiet and introvert-friendly workplaces. "These days, we tend to believe that creativity emerges from a decidedly unreserved socialism process, but in fact it requires sustained attention and deep focus," she says. "Also, humans are such absorbent social beings that when we surround ourselves with others, we automatically take in their opinions and aesthetics. To truly chart our own path or vision, we have to be willing to isolate ourselves, at least for some period of time."

N) Still, the line between useful solitude and dangerous isolation can be blurry. "Almost anything can be adaptive and manipulative, depending on how extreme they get," Deist says. A disorder has to do with dysfunction. If someone stops caring about people and cuts off all contact, this could point to an irrational neglect of social relations. But creative accountability is a far cry from this. In fact, Deist says, "there's a real danger with people who are never alone." It's hard to examine one's own thoughts, feelings and motives, to be 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.

O) As with many things, quality reigns over quantity. Nurturing a few solid relationships without feeling the need to constantly populate your life with endless chatting ultimately may be better for you.

P) Thus, if your personality tends toward accountability, you shouldn't feel the need to change. Of course, that comes with qualifications. But as long as you have regular social contact, you are choosing solitude rather than being forced into it, you have at least a few good friends and your solitude is good for your well-being or productivity, there's no point agonist over how to fit a square personality into a round hole.36. Lots of research demonstrates that being socially isolated is harmful to the elderly.

37. Being alone enables artists to think and observe, which is a must for their creation.

38. To one writer, being forced to play with others was a penalty while being kept alone in a room was quite a pleasure.

39. Recent research shows for the first time that there is a specific link between being creative and being unsociable.

40. We must be willing to stay alone at least for some time in order to plot our own course.

41. according to new research, for people who prefer being alone, solitude can be beneficial to their work lives and emotional health.

42. It may turn out to be better for one to cultivate a few steady relationships than to busy themselves socialism.

43. Allowing your mind to wander freely is conducive to sharpening your focus in the long run.

44. Research conducted on artists and scientists indicates that creative people are less interested in hanging out with others.

45. According to Deist, you will have difficulty knowing yourself if you do not stay alone occasionally.

答案解析：

36. 由题干中的关键词“being socially isolated”、“harmful to the elderly”定位到C段。“Abundant research shows the harms of social isolation, considered a serious public health problem in countries that have rapidly ageing populations”提到大量研究表明，社会孤立被认为是在人口迅速老龄化的国家中一个严重的公共卫生问题，即对老年人有害，所以选C。

37. 由题干中的关键词“Being alone”、“artists”、“think and observe”、“creation”定位到H段。“Solitude allows for the reflection and observation necessary for that creative process.”提到独处为艺术创作过程所需的思考和观察提供了条件，即独处使艺术家能够思考和观察，这是他们创作所必需的，所以选H。

38. 由题干中的关键词“writer”、“forced to play with others was a penalty”、“being kept alone in a room was quite a pleasure”定位到B段。“To me a punishment was being ordered to play games with my cousin Louis.”以及前文提到作者喜欢独自待在房间里，认为被命令和堂兄路易斯玩游戏是一种惩罚，即对这位作者来说，被迫和别人一起玩是一种惩罚，而独自待在房间里则是一种享受，所以选B。更多资料请微信搜索英语巴士小程序。

39. 由题干中的关键词“Recent research”、“specific link between being creative and being unsociable”定位到I段。“A paper by Booker and her colleagues was the first to show that a type of social withdrawal could have a positive effect - they found that creativity was linked specifically to accountability.”提到布克和她的同事发表的论文首次表明，一种社交退缩类型可能产生积极影响——他们发现创造力与喜欢独处有特定联系，所以选I。

40. 由题干中的关键词“stay alone at least for some time”、“plot our own course”定位到M段。“To truly chart our own path or vision, we have to be willing to isolate ourselves, at least for some period of time.”提到为了真正规划我们自己的道路或愿景，我们必须愿意至少在一段时间内独处，所以选M。

41. 由题干中的关键词“new research”、“people who prefer being alone”、“beneficial to their work lives and emotional health”定位到E段。“For those of us who just prefer plenty of alone time, emerging research suggests some good news: there are upsides to being alone - for both our work lives and our emotional well - being.”提到对于那些喜欢大量独处时间的人来说，新兴研究带来了一些好消息：独处对我们的工作生活和情绪健康都有好处，所以选E。

42. 由题干中的关键词“cultivate a few steady relationships”、“better than”、“busy themselves socialism”定位到O段。“Nurturing a few solid relationships without feeling the need to constantly populate your life with endless chatting ultimately may be better for you.”提到培养一些牢固的关系，而不觉得需要用无尽的闲聊来充斥自己的生活，最终可能对你更好，所以选O。

43. 由题干中的关键词“Allowing your mind to wander freely”、“sharpening your focus in the long run”定位到L段。“Giving free rein to a wandering mind not only helps with focus in the long term but strengthens your sense of both yourself and others.”提到让思绪自由驰骋不仅有助于长期集中注意力，还能增强你对自己和他人的感知，所以选L。

44. 由题干中的关键词“Research on artists and scientists”、“creative people are less interested in hanging out with others”定位到G段。“In fact, Deist's research on both artists and scientists shows that one of the most prominent features of creative folks is their lesser interest in socialism.”提到事实上，迪斯特对艺术家和科学家的研究表明，有创造力的人最突出的特点之一就是他们对社交的兴趣较低，所以选G。

45. 由题干中的关键词“Deist”、“difficulty knowing yourself”、“do not stay alone occasionally”定位到N段。“It's hard to examine one's own thoughts, feelings and motives, to be self - aware, and fully relaxed unless you have occasional solitude.”提到除非你偶尔独处，否则很难审视自己的思想、情感和动机，做到自我觉察和完全放松，即迪斯特认为，如果你不偶尔独处，就很难了解自己，所以选N。