Some people find it difficult to be by alone, quiet or be still. Do you live in your head or need to keep moving? If we can be still and silent, it can have a positive impact on our day. We live in a world full of endless noise. According to the World Health Organization (2010, 2024), cognitive impairment, dementia, depression, hearing issues, poor school and work performance, sleep disturbance, and stroke are cardiovascular and mental health results related to noise. Wouldn’t it be nice to drown out the noise by enjoying the silence and stillness, even if just for a few moments a day.
Benefits of Silence
Research studies on silence by Pfeifer and Wittmann (2020) reported that, “Silence was judged to significantly increase relaxation, improve mood states, and alter the perception of time and the orientation toward the present moment. Findings empirically demonstrate that exposure to silence can be effective in therapeutic and educational contexts to promote relaxation and well-being.” In an article by Garone (2021), it noted mental and physical benefits of silence include: calm racing thoughts, encourage mindfulness, improve focus, concentration, and insomnia, lower blood pressure, reduce cortisol, as well as stimulate brain growth and creativity.
In the Bible when Jesus was arrested, he was accused by the elders and priests as well as questioned by the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate, but Jesus remained silent. “He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so eh openers not his mouth” (Isiah 53:7, Holy Bible, King James Version, page 825). I can only image how difficult it must have been for him to be silent in the face of suffering, but this showed Jesus’ strength, faith in God’s will, and his mission and purpose to save humanity. Jesus demonstrated the power of silence. Silence can be seen as a way of reflecting, reverence, being still in God’s presence, seeking counsel and guidance from God, a time to meditative, and like Ecclesiastes 3:7 says, there is “a time to keep silence, and a time to speak” - we need to take the time to be silent.
Embrace Silence and Stillness
Silence and stillness can contribute to our lives in so many ways. For example, connect to self, regulate emotions, create self awareness, reduce stress, improve resilience, develop a positive mindset, nurture courage, manage anxiety and fears, find peace and tranquility, reduce feelings of discomfort and overwhelm, cultivate self-compassion, keep things in perspective, slow down and enjoy moments in life, promote self-reflection, enhance observing and listening skills, practice gratitude, increase strength, contribute to an open heart, foster empathy, help with forgiveness, and provide a break from constant noise and stimulation of daily life. Can you think of other ways being in quiet and still can add to your life?
People appear to be in fear of embracing silence and stillness and try to fill it with noise and action - television always on, endless scrolling on screens, and the need to be be busy doing something, anything. It is important for us to make time in our daily life to practice the art of being. Spend time in silence and stillness. Some ideas can include, but not limited to, any of these activities: meditation, a mindful walking in nature, listen to a piece of relaxing music, gardening, hiking, dancing, watch the sunrise/sunset, reading the Bible, practice tai chi or qigong, etc. It is courageous and powerful to create a space for stillness. So why not take a moment each day to practice the art of being! What does your peace and quiet look like? Relaxing into silence and stillness creates a path to peace and a space for you.
References
- Garone, Sarah (2021). 8 physical and mental health benefits of silence, plus how to get more of it. https://www.healthline.com/health/mind-body/physical-and-mental-health-benefits-of-silence
- Holy Bible, King James Version, Iowa Falls, IA: World Bible Publishers.
- Pfeifer, E. And Wittmann, M. (2020). Waiting, thinking, and feeling: Variations in the perception of time during silence. National Library of Medicine-National Center for Biotechnology Information. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7142212/
- World Health Organization (20101, 20242). Noise1. How much does environmental noise affect our health? WHO updates methods to assess health risks2. https://www.who.int/home/search-results?indexCatalogue=genericsearchindex1&searchQuery=noise&wordsMode=AnyWord