Life can get noisy. From chatter on social media, to city sounds, music, podcasts, and children singing and shouting in your home – the constant background clatter can crowd out our thoughts.
Click start to play today’s Spell It, where you can find some peace and ‘quiet’.
While finding moments of silence can be difficult, it’s important to do so for the sake of our mental health. Here are some benefits of taking some time out from the noise:
1. Silence promotes mindfulness
Mindfulness is being fully aware of the present moment, and seeing your reality as objectively as possible. According to a February 2018 study in the journal Clinical Psychology Review, mindfulness has been known to have a positive impact on anxiety, depression, pain, addiction and other conditions. To practice mindfulness, though, it all begins with silence. Without external stimulation, your mind and body settle down and you’re able to sit comfortably with your thoughts.
2. It builds self-awareness
By getting the chance to observe and accept your thoughts and feelings without any judgment, you can use silence to help build your self-awareness. As you sit in solitude, you are able to learn more about yourself. For instance, are you anxious or relaxed? By gaining insight on how you feel, you’ll learn what’s making you feel that way, and be more aware of how events and people are impacting your life.
3. It stimulates brain cells
A December 2013 study in the journal Brain Structure and Function, conducted on animals, found that quieting the mind can boost brain growth. When mice were exposed to two hours of silence every day, they developed new cells in their hippocampus – the region of the brain related to memory, emotions and the ability to learn.
4. It relieves stress
From work to personal finances and relationships, life can get messy and stressful. Silence has shown to help decrease stress levels by reducing cortisol adrenaline levels. A 2006 study published in the journal Heart, found that just two minutes of silence can be more calming than listening to relaxing music. Scientists reached this conclusion by assessing changes in blood pressure and circulation to the brain.
5. It boosts creativity and concentration
Being still and quiet is an enormous driver for creativity. According to an April 2022 report in US-based psychology news website Psych Central, when you are seeking inspiration, your mind needs to be in a relaxed, calm zone, while your body is in the background. Similarly, silence also aids concentration. Background noise can hinder our ability to focus, which is why it’s worth looking for a quiet place when you have a project you need to focus on.
Do you seek out silence every day? Play today’s Spell It and tell us at games@gulfnews.com.
