What psychology says about people who prefer to stay home all weekend

All around us, plans seem to multiply, especially at this time of year, when people in Spain seem to have a lot more free time and also less desire to stay home this weekend . This decision to go out, meet up with friends , and spend as much time outdoors as possible is one that many people make, but not all.

While some people seem overwhelmed by having to stay home and don't wait for a plan to emerge, instead making one up, others are the complete opposite, and their ideal plan is not having to go out at all. There are many reasons to choose to stay home from the time you leave work on Friday until you have to return on Monday, and here's what psychology has to say about it.

Is it normal to want to stay home all weekend?

Choosing to stay home and say no to plans with friends can be considered normal behavior , common even among those who are more homely. Enjoying time alone doesn't have to be a problem or something that arouses suspicion or concern, as long as it isn't used as a way to escape our emotions .

There are many people whose introverted nature means they need this time alone to recover the energy they invest in interacting with their surroundings on a daily basis. It can also be a way to find space for reflection , to have a moment of introspection that helps us redefine our objectives or set new ones. If we occasionally need some time for ourselves and feel it's best to stay home, there's nothing to worry about.

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Things can be very different if the reason for going out is because we feel aversion or an irrational emotional reaction . In those cases, it could be masking something deeper, and we aren't always aware of it.

When is it worrisome to stay home?

Staying home can be a healthy decision, as explained from a psychological perspective, but there may also be certain cases in which the reasons for doing so are not positive , but rather it is actually a way of escaping from difficult emotions, such as anxiety, constant sadness or apathy .

Lack of motivation for activities that were previously attractive or enjoyable can be a symptom of depression , and stopping going out with friends when it was once common can be due to this.

Not leaving home can have negative consequences for people's well-being, increasing the risk of anxiety or insomnia . Sunlight regulates the biological or circadian cycles that influence sleep and wakefulness. Not leaving home also promotes the development of depression and obesity, as well as vitamin D deficiency . To avoid this, it is recommended to spend a few minutes in the sun, preferably in the morning, as well as getting in touch with nature.

References

Laiou P. . . . Hotopf, M. (2022). The Association Between Home Stay and Symptom Severity in Major Depressive Disorder: Preliminary Findings From a Multicenter Observational Study Using Geolocation Data From Smartphones. JMIR Mhealth And Uhealth, 10(1), e28095. https://doi.org/10.2196/28095