Carol DM
Trying to be positive here for everyone. Came across this interesting article on Psychology Today….
We live in a world where we are inundated with sounds throughout the day — some pleasant, some not so pleasant — but we very rarely experience silence. Does this matter? Actually, it does.
- Silence has been found to stimulate brain growth: In 2013, a study into brain structure and function found that a minimum of two hours of silence could result in the creation of new brain cells in the area of our brains linked to learning and recall.
- Noise affects our stress levels by raising cortisol and adrenaline. A study in the journal Heart in 2006 found that silence can relieve tension in just two minutes.
- Silence is more “relaxing” for your body and brain than listening to music – as measured by a lowering of blood pressure and increased blood flow to the brain.
- Periods of silence throughout the day enhance sleep and lessen insomnia. We have all heard advice about “winding down” before bed but few of us apply it to ourselves.
- Research throughout the 20th century has linked noise pollution to an increase in heart disease and tinnitus. The World Health Organization likened it to a “modern plague.”
- Conor O’Shea writing for Lifehack found that on a retreat of 100 people, there was an increase in awareness and more time for personal reflection. There was space to listen to your inner voice and make measured decisions.
- You will find yourself able to focus better. This seems pretty obvious but how many of us try to finish a report surrounded by noise or colleagues and how many youngsters insist on listening to music while studying? Numerous studies demonstrate that this is unhelpful.
- Lowering sensory input helps us to restore our cognitive resources. We stop feeling overwhelmed. We can then tap into our creativity and daydream, and meditate. When we allow ourselves this quiet reflective time we find that, as Herman Melville wrote, “All profound things and emotion of things are proceeded and attended by silence.”
- “The soul always knows what to do to heal itself. The challenge is to silence the mind.” —Caroline Myss. How you achieve this is up to you, but I find a 10-minute breathing meditation conducted in total silence calms me down and allows me to focus on the task in hand. I start to prioritize well so that unnecessary tasks become just that – unnecessary.
- A favorite quote of mine is attributed to Abraham Lincoln: “Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak and remove all doubt.” This last point is that we need to learn that silence is often the best strategy not only for ourselves but for others, too. Not everyone wants to hear your opinion. Before we speak we should ask ourselves, “Who does this benefit? Is this kind? Do I need to say it?” A favorite quote from over the years “Speak only when you feel your words are better than silence.” – Anon
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Have an opinion to share about Silence?
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Yes
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No
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I have silence around me every day. It actually comforts me because when it is silent I know everything is fine and if I suddenly need or want to break the silence I put on some music.
Very interesting read! I have always enjoyed silence and sometimes people think I am weird because of that.
Thanks for this post, Carol. Its positivity is infectious. Love those quotes 🙂
So very welcome Norman. We all need more positive, always.
should I say it i think is a hard one. I know at times that I wish I could reach into cyberspace and pull back things I say. Many times i wish that!!!
i think the reality of where we are silence is a transient state. at least I hope it is!
There are times when we should not be silent. But more often than not, silence is golden in my opinion.
it is often golden, but it can also be the wrong course. Picking our way going forward, that is the magic now!
I especially love this saying “silence is golden”. I am a big silence enthusiast. When I am alone I mute the TV but keep it on just to see something. Whenever I hear people talking nonsense, I do not answer or advance my opinion because I do not want to attract anger or more talking. I would much rather be alone most of the time to enjoy my solitude except for cats and dogs surrounding me instead of people. Guess I am a little bit anti social…. I had also read about studies promoting silence in this mad mad world of today… Thanks for a great post which applies to me…
That saying has gotten me through life. And so good to see you my friend. I listen to nature all day. Works for me. I have been called anti social and introvert and honestly, that is a compliment to me. Thank you for your support.
Wow #bagittagitdrag ! This is really interesting and it arrives at a time when I needed to hear it. I haven’t heard from the hospital and I have been in a frenzy when I should be silent and calm. This is a great post. I want to share it with the world and thank you for the inspiration and insight. You made a big difference in my life today. Thanks.
I thought it was very interesting to read about. You are so welcome, I am really trying. 🙂