Silence Speaks Volumes: How Quietness Boosts Focus And Calm

Silence is the key component to feeling calm. There are many benefits to silence and while some see silence as a negative element. There needs to be a shift in thought. Silence allows a person to heal (the brain is healing). Peace and quiet are often not appreciated enough. Other than healing, it allows the person to be creative and organized. Rather than having an unorganized mind, the individual is able to keep the mind still. 

Stillness is imperative when making decisions of some sort. It is said “When the mind is clear, the answers come” Another part of this is that stress is alleviated during silence since thinking and too much sensory input cause work on the brain. Cognitive overload leads to stress therefore inducing fatigue. 

Prioritizing some silence in a day can be advantageous for someone who likes being creative. An empty mind is a calm mind and a calm mind is efficient. This is not to say one must be in total silence throughout the day but only whatever time is available for the individual. 

The Advantages of Silence

There are advantages to silence since it can help heighten self-awareness. With higher states of self-awareness, a person is far more in tune with themselves, especially with thoughts and emotions. Because of this, the person will have a positive impact on emotional and mood regulation. Silence itself can be quite therapeutic as it does induce relaxation which lowers blood pressure, heart rate, and cortisol levels (a stress hormone).

Here are some simple benefits:

  • Creative thinking and problem-solving.
  • Strengthens personal connection within.
  • Emotional Regulation.
  • Reduces rumination and mind-wandering.
  • Mental clarity and focus.
  • Improves memory.
  • Enhanced brain function.

Productivity

Silence is a calibrator for greater output. When working on some tasks that require full attention, silence is the proponent of creation. People are far more creative and productive when they have silence. When external noise or distractions are not present, the individual can perform deep work. With little to no noise, this also helps the individual become more decisive on what they need to do. Silence is the ultimate tool anyone can incorporate into their lives. 

There are studies where it states employees working in an office environment tend to be less productive because of noise and lack of privacy (Source).

“Silence is a space beyond creation and Creator, beyond life and death. As you practice silence, you shall become Silence.” – Sadhguru.

Listening to music while working may harm productivity. Check out How Music May Make You Less Productive.

Cognitive Health

As silence promotes calmness and reduces stress it is apparent that it is healthy for the brain. The practice of intentional silence brings prominence to brain health. It also activates the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) which is responsible for the rest and digestion function. It also helps with the growth of new neurons, and with new neurons, this can enhance the mind-body connection since neurons are communicators. In addition to this cortisol levels can be reduced with the help of quietness. 

One of the benefits of this is improved memory since the hippocampus’s role is known for learning and memory. Generally, any form of feeling aroused or stressed can puncture these positive effects which also leads to the need for increased time in recovery.  

Vagus Nerve and Vagal Tone

The vagus nerve is a long nerve connected from the brain stem down through the neck, chest, and abdomen. More importantly, it is in conjunction with the parasympathetic nervous system.

Key functions are regulated:

  • Heart rate.
  • Respiration.
  • Digestive process.
  • Emotional regulation.

The vagal tone is a measurement of the activity of the vagus nerve. One must condition this so a person will not be reactive. 

Those with a strong vagal tone are more likely to be better at managing stress and remaining calm in difficult circumstances. 

Silence helps develop a higher vagal tone.

The Vagus Nerve

Sleep

Sleep is part of a restoration process for all living things. However, can silence help reduce sleep quota? 

It is recommended the individual sleeps for 8 hours a night. There are some who are fully functional at 5 or 6 hours of sleep or maybe less. It is dependent on the person on how much strain a person is experiencing in a day (food can also be a factor since some foods can cause inflammation). 

When sleeping, the environment tends to be dark and quiet with little to no noise. 

Silence tends to have similar effects to sleeping as it requires a person to lie or sit with nothing in sight that could be distracting or very little noise present. 

As mentioned, silence helps with emotional regulation as intense emotions can be strenuous. Quietness contributes to PNS activity which can help with the recovery process. 

Ultimately, the time needed for rest is dependent on how much stress the body experiences. 

How to Practice Quietness

For those who are not used to quietness, it may be uncomfortable. There are people who go on silent retreats for an extreme experience. This may not be required at all. A room with digital devices turned off and put away. Lights off unless it is natural light which is fine but darkness has a better effect. 

Practice deep breathing. 

What could also enhance the silence experience is putting themselves in nature. While there are objects to see and hear it is natural. A person could be walking without making noise and being present in nature. A person can also do yoga or sit still and bask in nature. 

Inner Stillness

The whole concept is to not speak or have thoughts (or at least minimize them) in general. Speaking and thinking are disruptive when it comes to the reflective process. An individual can heighten their self-awareness therefore they have effective monitoring and control of their inner self.  

The one who practices silence is allowed to laugh, cough, or do anything other than speak. 

The time for practicing silence will vary for each individual since everyone’s day is different. Sessions could be as long as an hour or less depending on how much time can be utilized. 

“Silence is golden”

Conclusion

The practice of silence has numerous benefits for overall physical and mental health. It helps get into deep relaxation and provides mental clarity. This is a great tool to use when being productive since the output will be greater when it comes to creating something. Emotion regulation will occur while the brain heals and the individual is able to monitor themselves.  

While it may seem uncomfortable for some it could be necessary for the need to reflect and regain control of their inner self. In silence, a person is allowed to journal, walk, laugh, bask in nature, or do any activities that are not artificially stimulating. 

If you found this post helpful, please consider sharing and subscribing!

Sources

Similar Posts