Being Alone vs. Being Lonely

Happy Monday!

This week, we're exploring the value of being alone—not lonely, but intentionally solo. We're also examining two seemingly contradictory cancer headlines that, together, tell a single global story, and why you don't need a complete fitness overhaul to see health benefits—just the minimum effective dose.

Plus, discover new insights on Crohn's disease and the benefits of short-term calorie restriction, explore the Danish idea of hygge as a comforting way to reduce stress, and learn what coffee might be doing for your blood sugar beyond just the caffeine buzz.

As always, we share women’s health and wellness news that’s evidence-based and thoughtfully explained.

Wishing you good health and happiness!
Nicolle Sloane
Editor

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Spending time alone tends to get lumped in with loneliness, but research is drawing a much clearer line between the two.

Psychologist Robert J. Coplan, who studies solitude, has found that why you’re alone matters more than how much time you spend by yourself. When solitude is something you choose — because it feels grounding, creative, or simply peaceful — it’s linked to better mood, emotional regulation, and even stronger relationships.

People who get the amount of alone time they want tend to feel calmer and more like themselves. They’re also more engaged and present when they’re with others. In contrast, when solitude is driven by avoidance or rejection, it can tip into rumination and sadness, which is where the feeling of loneliness shows up.

Researchers describe solitude as offering two kinds of freedom:

Perhaps most reassuring: wanting time alone isn’t a flaw or a failure. Coplan argues it should be entirely acceptable to say, “I love you…and I need some time to myself.” In fact, the ability to be alone comfortably is considered a sign of emotional maturity, not disconnection.

One researcher summed it up perfectly: loneliness is “failed solitude.” Solitude itself, when intentionally chosen, is not something to fix but rather something to protect.

Worldwide, cancer cases among women are rising sharply. Since 1990, global cancer diagnoses have more than doubled, with the fastest growth occurring in low- and middle-income countries. Researchers project more than 30 million new cancer cases annually by 2050, driven largely by aging populations, lifestyle-related risks (like smoking, obesity, and high blood sugar), and limited access to early screening and treatment. In many regions, women are still being diagnosed late, when survival odds are lower.

At the same time, outcomes for women in the U.S. have improved dramatically. According to the latest report from the American Cancer Society, 7 in 10 people now survive at least five years after a cancer diagnosis. Breast and ovarian cancer survival has improved significantly, and mortality from breast cancer alone has dropped more than 40% since the 1990s. Many cancers that were once quickly fatal are now managed more like chronic illnesses.

So why the disconnect?

Access is the dividing line. A major global analysis published in The Lancet estimates that roughly 40% of cancer deaths worldwide are linked to modifiable risk factors, and many more are tied to late diagnosis and lack of treatment. In high-income countries, women are more likely to be screened, diagnosed earlier, and treated with newer, targeted therapies. In lower-resource settings, those advantages are far less available.

The takeaway:

Progress is real. But it’s uneven, and women’s outcomes still depend heavily on early detection, equitable care, and sustained investment in prevention.

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Fitness advice often starts with intimidating numbers: 10,000 steps, five workouts a week, an hour a day. For many women balancing work, family, stress, changing bodies, and fluctuating energy, those goals can feel more discouraging than motivating.

Fortunately, science is now telling us a much more reassuring story.

A growing body of research suggests that the body benefits from far less movement than we’ve been taught. Even small, consistent amounts of activity are linked to better heart health, stronger bones, improved mood, and lower risk of early death. Researchers call this the “minimum effective dose” of movement: the smallest amount that still delivers meaningful health benefits.

For cardio, guidelines still recommend about 150 minutes of moderate activity per week. But newer studies show that short bursts — as little as five to ten minutes at a time — are still meaningful, especially for women starting from low activity levels. Brisk walking, climbing stairs, dancing, or moving with intention during daily life all count.

Strength training is particularly important for women, as muscle and bone density naturally decline with age and hormonal shifts. The good news: you don’t need long gym sessions. Research suggests that just a few challenging sets per week using body weight, bands, or light weights can help preserve strength, balance, and independence.

Mobility rounds out the picture. Gentle, regular movement helps joints stay comfortable, supports posture, and reduces stiffness, especially if you spend a lot of time sitting.

Taken together, the evidence points to a comforting truth: movement doesn’t have to be intense or perfect to be protective. The body responds to regular signals that you’re still moving more than to heroic effort.

What to try this week:

If you live with Crohn’s, you’ve probably had moments of wondering whether what or how you eat could ease symptoms, and just as many moments of frustration when clear answers aren’t there. A new study from Stanford adds a thoughtful data point to that conversation.

Researchers followed people with mild to moderate Crohn’s disease who tried a short-term, fasting-mimicking diet — essentially a lower-calorie reset for five days each month, followed by their normal eating routine. After three months, about two-thirds reported feeling better, compared with fewer than half of those who made no dietary changes.

Beyond how people felt, researchers also saw changes inside the body, including gut inflammation markers dropping and immune activity quieting.

Still, this isn’t a magic fix, and it’s definitely not for everyone. Most participants had mild Crohn’s symptoms, and experts emphasize that calorie restriction can be risky for people who are underweight, nutrient-depleted, or pregnant. This kind of approach, if explored at all, needs medical guidance and support.

Why this caught our attention:

Women with chronic digestive conditions are often left navigating diet questions on their own, with little evidence to lean on. This study doesn’t offer a prescription, but it does suggest that short, structured changes to eating patterns may influence inflammation in some people, opening the door to more personalized care down the line.

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