As humans, we need time alone. It's good for our bodies and good for our brains.
I don't mean sitting there and staring at a wall, thinking about how everyone else is having more fun than you. I'm following the definition of psychologists worldwide; that is, being away from other people, by yourself, with no one to talk to. It's that time you spend alone after work, decompressing(减压)and recharging.
But what does the brain do in a quiet place with nothing to do? We now know it doesn't shut off. Once you get over your impatience for getting back to work, the brain starts a whole different pattern of activity among certain brain areas, which is known as the default mode network.
Many studies have examined the activity of the default mode network to understand it better. Scientists have found that this network is active whenever a person is resting, daydreaming, thinking about themselves or the memories of the past, or planning for the future. In other words, even though we are not busy with any particular task but resting. our brains are constantly talking to themselves, keeping lines of communication open between areas that work together. It may be that the brain activity during this resting state is preparing us to be ready for anything so that we can react in the correct manner when we head out into the world again.
Other studies have found that being by yourself may help promote creativity. Even if we're alone doing a small activity to pass the time, we accomplish it better alone, as well. We subconsciously(潜意识地）do several tasks at the same time when together with other people, but not in a way you'd think—we are constantly guessing what the other person is up to, what solution they're arriving at for a specific problem, what their thoughts and feelings are. Being by yourself can be completely liberating and it is a wonderful way to get to know yourself, so enjoy that time.
【小题1】What does the author mean by “time alone”?| A．Staying away from your family. | B．Having pleasure by yourself. |
| C．Being by yourself and relaxing. | D．Self-reflection and planning. |
| A．It shuts off completely. | B．It still works actively. |
| C．It comes into a state of silence. | D．It reminds you to take a rest. |
| A．It will make you work better. | B．It will help you learn from others. |
| C．It will benefit your family tie. | D．It will help form a good habit. |
| A．Enjoy your time alone. | B．A silent world. |
| C．Keep yourself at home. | D．You are yourself. |
