Everyone feels the need to escape the noise and sit in silence now and then. But, could it actually be healthy and vital to your life? Experts say so. There are several reasons why silence is beneficial, and incorporating it into your life can have some important benefits for you.
This is easier said than done sometimes, but once you experience the power of silence, you will make more of an effort to make sure it becomes part of your daily or weekly routine. Here is what the experts say about silence and why you need it in your life.
It Gives You A Break
Constant noise can take a toll even if you don’t realize it’s happening. Noise levels can lead to stress and anxiety, especially when you feel you have no control over it. Moms can attest to the feelings that being surrounded by constant noise can produce.
Tuning into it can be exhausting, and it is something that is enhanced each time a new sound is added. Voices, music, the television, toys and other things all contribute to the noise level. When you turn off the sound, you give your brain a chance to rest and recover.
Meditation is a great way to add silence to your routine. If all else fails, you can always find time to sit in a quiet room and tune into yourself. Even just a few minutes sans the sound can rejuvenate you and improve your life.
Time To Think
It’s hard to think about important things when you’re distracted by what’s going on around you. When you power down the noise, you don’t have outside forces pulling you away from something that needs your attention.
Whether you’re trying to make a big decision or you’re trying to solve a big problem, you can come to a conclusion much more quickly when you sit in silence than when you’re surrounded by the sounds of life going on around you. Even if you just need a few minutes to think about yourself or something that makes you happy, utter silence will make this much easier and more enjoyable for you.
Things Mean More To You
When you make it a habit to tune in to things that the silence allows you to, you learn to value things more. Tuning in to yourself is a healthy way to have a happy and meaningful life. If you find yourself staying quiet more often, the words that come out of your mouth will mean more to the ones you speak with and more to you at the same time. This will take some practice, but with effort you can create more meaning without the constant sound.
Cut Back On Drama
Silence inevitably means you aren’t talking or hearing about things that don’t really concern you. Experts who research silence say that learning to avoid gossip and staying silent when it starts is a valuable way to live happier and preserve relationships.
The best way to do this is to simply walk away when someone starts gossiping. You can also come up with a mantra that you say when someone tries to pull you into the drama. You will be absolutely amazed at how much better your life gets when you silence the talk and block out the noise of people who want to talk about things that really aren’t any of your business.
You Can Foster Creativity
Without any sound to distract you, you’ll find that you can focus on creative endeavors. When there is no outside noise getting in the way of your creativity, you will find that your brain activates and engages, and you will find it much easier to come up with ideas and pursuits that you enjoy. This might be sewing, acting, singing, drawing or making other things. Once you see how productive you can be without all the outside noise, you will seek out silence more often and will spend more time making it an everyday part of your life. Create a creative space that makes it easier to foster silence.
How To Create Silence
Creating a silent environment is easier said than done. It will take you some practice and trial and error to make it a habit, and you’ll likely have to work on it as time goes by until it becomes something that is second-nature.
There are many tactics you can use to increase the silent time you have in your life. You can do things at home, at work and out and about that will help you see the value and importance of silences on a daily basis. Try some of these tactics and mix and match the ones that work best for you.
1. Turn Off The Television
Many people use the television as background noise, so simply shutting it off when you aren’t actively watching a program can go a long way toward giving you the silence you need at home. The same is true for the radio if you have it on all the time.
2. Get Noise Cancelling Headphones
These are perfect for work if you have a hard time concentrating when the noise of your co-workers is filling your space. Clear this with your boss, and slide on the headphones when you need to be productive so that you can focus on the task at hand. This will make your work more productive and less stressful and requires no effort at all.
3. Take A Daily Break
Choose a realistic time during your day in which you can take a break in the silence. This could be your lunch break at the office or when your kids nap in the afternoon. It might be a few minutes right before bed or first thing in the morning when you’re the only one awake. Make a conscious effort to block noise, and this small frame of time can be a real lifesaver.
4. Get Support
When you are aiming to make a better life for yourself, it can really help to get people on your side. Tell those close to you what you are trying to accomplish, and ask them to help keep you on track. This might be as simple as respecting your silent time or as involved as giving you a daily reminder to carve out time for silence.
How Much Silence?
The amount of silence needed for a healthy perspective varies from person to person. The amount you need will probably differ from other people, even those who are closest to you. Try aiming for a few minutes and building on the silent time until you find the sweet spot for you.
You could find that just five minutes is plenty, or you could discover that you need about an hour to truly benefit. Try to get the ideal amount of time on a regular basis, and chances are you’ll feel happier and be a better person for yourself and others.
