Are there any health benefits to silence?
And how can you better enjoy the quiet?
Experts share tips and ideas on how to reduce the noise.
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The quiet is disquieting to him.
So, would cutting down on noise be a good thing for him?
psychotherapist andprofessor of aesthetics and communication at the Catholic University of Applied Sciences, Germany
Are there any health benefits to silence?
It turns out that while quiet time could help our well-being, there isnt a one-size-fits-all prescription.
Our perception of silence greatly influences whether it benefits us.
Another person may find silence calming because they played with their siblings in a quiet backyard or house.
Also, each person differs in how comfortable they are with their inner thoughts.
Why are some of us relaxed, while others might feel lonely, bored, or anxious?
Regulatory capacity differs from person to person.
For example, some people have a condition that causes them to prefer background noise.
Is constant noise bad for us?
psychotherapist andprofessor of aesthetics and communication at the Catholic University of Applied Sciences, Germany
Recent research posits thatnon-stop noise can have negative effectson our well-being.
Research on this isstill scant, but experts have several theories.
The brain is ready when its ready.
But that also means the brain needs some time off, says Pfeifer.
During this downtime, the brain rejuvenates andprocesses all the informationit has received.
Conversely, silence is linked to reduced heart rate and increased calm, says Ben-Soussan.
Then, focus on the positive emotions you felt during that time.
It may help to write these down or say them aloud to yourself.
Pfeifer adds that framing silence as something luxuriousmay help reduce feelings of boredom.
Start small and ease your way into a practice
Choose any activity you enjoy doing.
Perhaps its writing, reading, painting, cycling, swimming, or walking.
Then, gradually stretch the time as you settle into it.
Turn down the volume on the TV thats running in the background.
Take the kids with you on a five-minute walk outside.
Sit in the backyard with a cup of tea.
Another tip Nguyen offers is to know what habits you associate with different places.
For example, suppose you regularly scroll through videos while on the couch.
Have a good think
After your silence practice, reflect on how you feel afterward.
Did you feel good?
If it has positive effects, you want your brain to remember this.
Dont fret if the experience wasnt very comfortable.
You might need to try different ways of incorporating silence before finding one that fits you.
Whatever works for you, know theres no wrong way to incorporate a bit more quiet in your life.
It can be as relaxed, introspective, or luxurious as you want.
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