Homebodies Who Constantly Cancel Plans Have 11 Major Advantages Over Everyone Else
Vlada Karpovich | Pexels Some people prefer to spend their time out and about, but for others, there’s no place they’d rather be than at home. Our society glorifies a lifestyle where people are constantly on the go, but homebodies are quick to make use of the advantages that canceling plans to be at home comes with.
According to social psychologist Bella DePaulo, "Most of us also enjoy the time we spend with our friends and the other people we care about. But there can be something truly wonderful about just staying home." People who prefer to stay home are enjoying the time they spend with themselves, and for good reason.
Homebodies who cancel plans have these advantages over everybody else
1. They don't feel forced to socialize
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Everyone has different feelings about socializing, but not being around people can feel like a gift. If you have a job or participate in activities outside of the house, you’re spending plenty of time around other people and may not want to be around anyone.
We’re often told that socializing is beneficial for us, so not doing so may seem counterintuitive to our well-being. But there are benefits to spending time in solitude. So, for homebodies, canceling plans means they can remain stress-free and recharge their social battery, rather than committing to plans that drain them.
2. They have time for their hobbies
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In the fast-paced world we live in, it’s easy for people to feel like they don't have time to keep up with their hobbies. Instead, they do what needs to be done rather than what they want to do. But instead of being out and about, homebodies get to enjoy their hobbies.
Having hobbies and the proper time to devote to them is crucial. Harvard Health Letter’s Heidi Godman cited a study, saying, “Compared with people who didn’t have hobbies, those who did reported better health, more happiness, fewer symptoms of depression, and higher life satisfaction.”
Hobbies are essential to our mental and physical well-being, but they’re pointless if we don’t have any time to devote to them. Being a homebody gives people the perfect chance to work on and spend time doing what they love.
3. They can dress for comfort
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In social situations, there are certain expectations as to what you should wear. But homebodies avoid this pressure altogether and can stay in their pajamas if they'd like. It's all about comfort for them.
Getting dressed up can feel time-consuming and energy-draining. But by canceling plans and staying home, these people don't need to feel exhausted. They can wear something they feel comfortable and free in.
4. They save money
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People who are accustomed to going out may not give much thought to the money they’re spending. But homebodies know that staying at home is more cost-effective. Life is never exactly free, but it costs significantly less to cook a meal at home or watch a movie on streaming.
Considering the cost of eating at a restaurant, expenses can quickly add up. A single person spends roughly $222 each month eating outside of their home, which adds up to $2,664 a year. The cost only compounds when you add more people, such as when someone is in a relationship or has children.
To some, that $2,664 may not seem like a lot. But in the current economy, every dollar counts. Saving that amount of money could make a huge financial difference.
5. They conserve energy
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Going out doesn’t just take up time and money, it also costs people precious energy. But staying at home allows homebodies to save their energy. There’s nothing to get ready for. There’s no one to socialize with. There’s no noise and crowd to contend with. It means they won't be overstimulated.
Wellness coach Jordana Harshman pointed out that there are different “energetic domains.” This means that energy is divided into various areas of life, and if one area feels like it is taking up all of your energy while others aren’t receiving enough, it's time to redistribute it.
When people spend all their energy being out and about, they don't have any left over for other necessary areas of life. There are so many more factors to consider when going out that don’t apply to homebodies, but it's easier for them to recharge from their couch.
6. They don't have to follow others' plans
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One of the major advantages homebodies have when they cancel plans is getting to do what they want to do. They aren't required to follow anyone else's ideas, and don't have to go with the flow.
By hanging out at home, the only one who gets to decide what they do is themselves. There are no obligations to participate in anything. They can create a quiet environment or one with background noise, whichever they prefer. They get to choose absolutely everything on their own terms.
7. They're safer
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People often overlook safety when they leave the house. Bad things can happen anywhere, but there's a greater chance of them happening away from home when you’re around strangers.
Aside from the obvious crimes that can occur, being around a large group of people can be inherently dangerous. Experts from State Farm noted that while “there may be safety in numbers,” there are still plenty of risks that come with going out with a lot of other people. They recommended that people “help protect yourself and your family from a crowd crush, injury, illness, pickpockets, and possible anxiety in large crowds.”
While staying at home is certainly not a guarantee that nothing bad will happen, it does provide a sense of security for homebodies. Their home is their domain, and it’s where a person naturally feels the safest.
8. They can relax
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It’s fun to go out sometimes, but it can be draining. Homebodies naturally have more time to relax when they cancel plans in favor of alone time. Because when all their time isn't spent on socializing and being around other people, it provides them quality time to relax.
Not only does time alone provide people with the ultimate chance to reduce stress and anxiety, but it improves self-awareness. They get to take time to explore their own thoughts and feelings, and understand who they are on a deeper level.
9. They feel more productive
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Life shouldn’t revolve around productivity, but it's essential to accomplish necessary tasks. It’s a lot easier to be productive when people are at home than it is when they're out. For homebodies, they feel more productive when they tackle tasks like chores or catching up on work, rather than having a day or night out of the house.
You must have ample mental energy to be productive. It’s easier to call on mental energy when you’ve just been spending time at home than when you’ve been out. Every task we do doesn’t have to be considered productive or work towards some goal, but it’s helpful to us when they are.
10. They maintain their healthy habits
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There are many benefits to canceling plans that homebodies take full advantage of. For one, they're less likely to eat unhealthy food. Some people will give into the temptation to eat junk food while binge-watching their favorite show at home, but by not leaving the house, there's a predisposition to eat a bit cleaner.
Going out can also pose more of a health risk, as it's easier to get sick. Infectious diseases expert Dr. Gregory Poland said it’s important to remember that big crowds present an increased risk. Different people also have varying health and cleanliness standards, which poses a risk as well.
11. They're protecting their mental health
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Being a homebody allows people to protect their mental health in a way that going out doesn't. Staying home gives them time to engage in self-care activities. It also keeps them away from the anxiety that comes with being out around others, especially people they don’t know well.
According to licensed clinical psychologist Katie Carhart, a study determined the benefits of intentionally staying home. “They found that on days when individuals spent more time alone, they reported less stress and greater satisfaction in their autonomy... they found that any harmful effects of solitude were reduced if the individuals’ time alone was autonomous.”
Mary-Faith Martinez is a writer with a bachelor’s degree in English and Journalism who covers news, psychology, lifestyle, and human interest topics.
