The Restorative Power of Silence

I’m so sick of the noise.?

We’ve likely all said some variation of this sentence in recent years. While the definition of "noise" differs for each of us (i.e. the looming presence of our 24-hour news cycle, the constant refresh of our social media feeds, the daily code-switching between apps and programs required for daily tasks in many of our jobs, or the literal noise of the outside world), the compounding effects from the continuous intake that accompanies modern life is starting to have damaging effects.?

At the same time, it is equally true that escaping the noise is proving more and more difficult. For instance, while writing this article I have checked my Instagram, shuffled through songs on Spotify, cleaned up my Gmail inbox, and tuned into the morning news. Each of these tasks, while ideally aiding my efficiency and awareness of what’s happening around me, actually thwarts my ability to effectively think, create, and exist in a positive way. And while it might seem difficult to slow down and trim the noise intake of daily life, finding solace in silence is not impossible.?

In a 2017 article published by The Harvard Business Review - The Busier You Are, the More You Need Quiet Time - authors Justin Talbot Zorn and Leigh Marz discuss how studies show that prioritizing silence “restores the nervous system, helps sustain energy, and conditions our minds to be more adaptive and responsive to the complex environments in which so many of us now live, work, and lead.” While it may seem that trying to attend to everything that’s happening around us is the best path forward, in truth, trying to embrace all of the noise around us leads to feelings of stress, anxiety, detachment, and, in some cases, apathy.?

What Zorn and Marz recommend is embracing the restorative power of silence by prioritizing moments of disconnection and sustained silence in a way “that facilitates clear and creative thinking.” Here are 3 steps they recommend for finding deeper modes of listening and attention in your daily routine:

1. Build in 5 minutes of quiet time between meetings. There is nothing quite as draining as trudging through a day of back-to-back-to-back-to-back meetings. When these kinds of days come, I often find myself craving quiet, sick of hearing my own voice. What helps is finding small windows to step outside, leave my devices in the office, and focus on quieting my internal mechanisms. This kind of reset typically makes me more patient, attentive, and able to contribute to my surroundings in positive ways.
2. Take a walk. It doesn’t need to be a miles-long trek through your neighborhood or city. Even getting outside for a quick 5-10 minute jaunt around your office can produce positive benefits. If you find yourself unable to focus, with the noise of your day proving difficult to handle, try getting outside for a bit, muting your devices, and let your mind rest while you wander around in the outside world.
3. Go on a media fast. Given the importance of tuning into what’s happening in our rapidly-changing world, media fasts are proving more and more difficult. However, it is important to recognize the difference in “staying tuned in” and more negative tasks like doomscrolling, hate-watching, or aimlessly refreshing apps for the sake of it. To combat this, try turning off email for a bit, putting your phone on do not disturb, and fasting from entertainment and social media for a few hours. You’ll find that prioritizing mental rest will ultimately help you better contribute to your daily obligations and the world around you.?

In his book Silence: In the Age of Noise, philosopher Erling Kagge writes that “Silence in itself is rich. It is exclusive and luxurious. A key to unlock new ways of thinking. I don’t regard it as a renunciation or something spiritual, but rather as a practical resource for living a richer life.” While the exclusivity of silence in our modern world makes it more difficult to find, it also makes its contributions to our lives that much richer when we are able to prioritize it. Be sure to build in moments of silence to your daily life. You might just find your experiences are richer and more fulfilling because of it.?

Article Written by?Trip Starkey, Communications & Partnerships Manager.

To learn more about Grit Digital Health, connect with our team at?[email protected], or visit us at?GritDigitalHealth.com.