10 reasons why silence will help us to be happy and calm. (2024)
In a world that operates at a frantic pace and celebrates “attention”, it’s easy to get caught up in the temptation to rise above the noise by constantly being busy.
The amount of time and energy required to be “relevant” is truly taxing and often comes at the expense of self-care and wellness.
Social apps that create an insatiable appetite for “recognition” cause smart people to drift away from more pertinent priorities in exchange for the promise of having significance.
A busy mind dedicated to social comparisons has little room for personal growth and creativity.
A brain filled with constant chatter seldom finds time to relax and the toxic side effects are well documented.
With environmental and electronic noise at an all-time high our brain is being bombarded with stimulus that often drives our amygdala into overdrive.
As emotions get energized cortisol often flows into our bloodstream which increases blood pressure and accelerates our heart rate.
What’s the answer to slow this incessant symphony of chaos to a manageable level?
Here are 10 benefits to creating more quiet moments in our lives:
Brain power
A 2013 study showed that 2 hours a day in silence can stimulate development of new brain cells.The activity was especially pronounced in the hippocampus, the area of the brain responsible for memory, learning, motivation, and emotional responses.
Better sleep
No surprise, a quiet mind helps produce better sleep.When we feel stressed and anxious, we struggle with quality rest.Insomnia often results which disrupts restorative sleep and creates a plethora of health complications.A 2015 study at UCLA revealed mindfulness matters in regulating better sleep and finding stillness.
Memory
Simply sitting quietly for 15 minutes a day can improve our memory.The memory boosting benefits of silence has been shown to improve memory in dementia patients.A 2014 study at the University of Edinburgh discovered a 15% to 50% improvement in recollection from participating amnesia patients.
Stress is a silent killer and managing its detrimental side effects should be top priority.When our body is under stress bodily functions suffer and so does our brain.When we relax our body operates at peak efficiency and takes time to heal and repair.
More aware
When we relax our primitive brain takes a break.Silence slows down the incessant stream of noise that contaminates positive thought.In this moment of self-awareness, we listen to our authentic voice and dismiss the irrelevant distractions that interfere with emotional stability.Becoming more self-aware should be a top priority in our efforts to remain calm and increase happiness.
“There was a brief silence. I think I heard snow falling”. Erich Seg
The heart matters
Silence benefits our heart.The American Heart Association emphasizes the importance of taking time to slow down.Silence reduces stress, lowers blood pressure and the risk of heart disease.Quiet time is critical for improved heart health.
Clarity improves
Simply breathing and learning to calm our distracted mind will allow our brain to operate more efficiently.In its default mode our brain manages internal and external information with greater clarity.Having clarity improves decision making and enables us to focus on solutions.
Good decisions
Living in a world with so much noise impacts our ability to make good decisions.Watching the news and reading the latest investment advice creates the fear of missing out or inspires bad decisions motivated by fear and other emotions.When we sit still, we release more serotonin and oxytocin, the feel-good chemicals.It’s better to make big decisions when our mind is at peace.
Mental fitness
An environment filled with excessive noise creates sensory overload.When our brain is at rest, we restore cognitive resources.That’s why I walk in nature.It lowers stress and increases feelings of joy and happiness.A low and beautiful sensory atmosphere promotes solitude and reduces mental fatigue.Lower the noise and stay mentally fit.
More creative
When our mind is relaxed it’s able to wander which enables creativity to incubate.When our brain is flexible and free from distraction it can meander into creative gestation.Creative potential will be a critical skill for professionals moving forward in a world more dependent on innovation.
“Silence is the sleep that nourishes wisdom”. Francis Bacon
Sum it up
Are you taking time regularly to create quiet space so your brain can decompress?Share your thoughts in the comments section and please like and share this article. I love learning from you as well.
About Steve:
Steve Wohlenhaus is CEO of Weatherology, the leading company in the world at disseminating audio weather information.Steve began his career as a major market television weather anchor in Minneapolis, where he received several Emmy Awards for science programming.Steve is an author and host of the podcast program Anatomy of Success.Reach out and connect with me on LinkedIn.Learn more about my work and grab the free Weatherology mobile app by clicking any picture in this article!
Silence, it turns out, can be good for us. It can improve concentration, creativity and mindfulness, and helps lower blood pressure, reduce cortisol and improve insomnia, studies show.
Silence, it turns out, can be good for us. It can improve concentration, creativity and mindfulness, and helps lower blood pressure, reduce cortisol and improve insomnia, studies show.
“When you are under stress, your body's natural repair mechanisms are disabled. When you can cultivate silence and stillness, clarity develops in your mind and has a settling effect. Your body is not independent of your brain, so it will relax as well.”
The benefits of silence are profound. Enhanced concentration becomes attainable when we create an environment free from the cacophony of modern life. Silence unlocks our creativity, allowing innovative ideas to flourish. By immersing ourselves in silence, we cultivate self-awareness and foster personal growth.
Turn down the noise, and you're more likely to be able to turn down the stress. When you're in a quiet place, your body is better able to relax. Your brain has a chance to stop being in overdrive, and you may feel the tension slip away.
Psychological benefits of silence can include enhanced creativity, focus, self control, self awareness, perspective and spirituality. Silence can be used both positively and negatively in communication, and thus can influence our relationships.
It literally heightens our well-being by reducing stress, lowering blood pressure, and even regenerating brain cells. Introverts love talking about how we need to recharge our batteries after being around people for too long, because it's a great way to visualize how we replenish our energy.
Silence is an opportunity to pause, reflect, and gather thoughts; and to observe, take in, digest, and process. Use silence to become more comfortable with yourself and others, rather than becoming anxious and disconnected.
Over the week, we learned to become more gentle with ourselves, and far less harsh in our inner monologues. When you are on a long retreat, you have plenty of time to see just how self-flagellating and confused that inner voice can be.
Answer D) Huge silence can do us good by interrupting our sadness that arises due to our worries of survival and death. It can help us in understanding ourselves, healing our wounds and celebrating our achievements. In the silence we will be able to think beyond ourselves, think about others and the environment.
According to studies, silence activates the brain's default mode network, which results in introspection, memory consolidation, and self-referential mental processes. In addition to giving the mind some much-needed rest, it also encourages original and critical thought. Silence is more than just tranquilly or calm.
Surprisingly, silence had the most profound effect, promoting the highest growth of new neurons in the hippocampus, a key memory-related brain region. Kirste found that "trying to hear in silence" stimulates the auditory cortex, accelerating the growth of valuable brain cells.
Here are a few quick tips on how to incorporate more mindful silence into your everyday life: Make time for yourself every day. Carve out when you can be alone and unplugged, whether for a few minutes or an hour. Meditate, journal, read, or sit with your thoughts — whatever helps you find peace within yourself.
Our brains can unwind and let go of this continual focus when we are alone and silent for some time. Researchers discovered that while noise causes stress, stillness eases mental and physical tension. Noise impairs our ability to focus, think clearly, motivate ourselves, and operate properly in the brain.
Silence is often the most overlooked yet powerful instrument. It can convey a myriad of emotions, from comfort and understanding to indifference and rejection.
Silence offers opportunities for self-reflection and daydreaming, which activates multiple parts of the brain. It gives us time to turn down the inner noise and increase awareness of what matters most. And it cultivates mindfulness — recognition and appreciation of the present moment.
Other times, silence means being able to pay more attention to observe what is happening around me, or more time to think, for I cannot think when I'm speaking. It may also mean that I'm tired, and I simply wish to recharge by having my daily dose of solitude.
Possibly you are just in time with life and reality. Maybe your mind is open to bigger things, deeper experiences that others have. Maybe you in some way just feel the universe around you and like it. It is not a bad thing to enjoy the quietness of the silence in most abandon places.
Introduction: My name is Van Hayes, I am a thankful, friendly, smiling, calm, powerful, fine, enthusiastic person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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