Did you know that the Finnish Tourism Board raked in great moolah with a marketing campaign about silence? They tried to entice people with how ‘silent’ Finland was and how it would help them discover themselves. And, it worked!
We cannot move to Finland, but we can, however, practice keeping our mouths shut for two minutes everyday. Here's how science says it helps.
And it’s about time we listen to science
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A study in the journal Heart states that being silent has more effect on you than listening to music. The study made a conclusion based on changes in blood pressure and blood circulation in the brain. It is therefore suggested staying silent for a few minutes to get into a state of calm.
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A study in 2013 published in the journal Brain, Structure and Function studied the effect of silence on the brains of mice. It was discovered that when the mice were exposed to two hours of silence per day they developed new cells in the hippocampus, a region of the brain associated with memory, emotion and learning. The study concluded that silence helps the new generated cells to differentiate into neurons, and integrate into the system, which in simple terms means it can grow our brain.
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The effect of noise pollution on the cognitive skills of the human brain have been extensively studied. One of the studies recorded that children exposed to households or classrooms near railways or highways have lower reading scores and are slower in their development of cognitive and language skills.
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These lines from Herman Melville perfectly sum up a 2013 study which studied the default mode of the brain. In 2013, in Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, Joseph Moran et al. wrote that the brain’s default mode network “is observed most closely during the psychological task of reflecting on one’s personalities and characteristics (self-reflection), rather than during self-recognition, thinking of the self-concept, or thinking about self-esteem, for example.”
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And we still don’t remain silent when we’re stressed. Silence reduces the levels of stress hormones therefore making you calmer and preparing you to take on the stressful situation.
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A study by Talentsmart suggests that all the top performers have one ability in common and that is to remain calm and controlled during stressful situations. They find silence around chaos and use it for their benefit.
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Vipassana is said to change the lives of people who were unhappy due to stress and tension. It's a great thing to go for if you decide to go for days without uttering a word, and focusing on the good. At first you might face mental inertia, but once you master the meditation technique, there are noticeable health benefits.
We cannot move to Finland, but we can, however, practice keeping our mouths shut for two minutes everyday. Here's how science says it helps.
And it’s about time we listen to science
1. A study found that two minutes of silence can be more relaxing than listening to music
A study in the journal Heart states that being silent has more effect on you than listening to music. The study made a conclusion based on changes in blood pressure and blood circulation in the brain. It is therefore suggested staying silent for a few minutes to get into a state of calm.
2. New brain cells are regenerated because of silence
A study in 2013 published in the journal Brain, Structure and Function studied the effect of silence on the brains of mice. It was discovered that when the mice were exposed to two hours of silence per day they developed new cells in the hippocampus, a region of the brain associated with memory, emotion and learning. The study concluded that silence helps the new generated cells to differentiate into neurons, and integrate into the system, which in simple terms means it can grow our brain.
3. Silence helps your development of cognitive and language skills
The effect of noise pollution on the cognitive skills of the human brain have been extensively studied. One of the studies recorded that children exposed to households or classrooms near railways or highways have lower reading scores and are slower in their development of cognitive and language skills.
4. “All profound things and emotions of things are preceded and attended by silence.”
These lines from Herman Melville perfectly sum up a 2013 study which studied the default mode of the brain. In 2013, in Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, Joseph Moran et al. wrote that the brain’s default mode network “is observed most closely during the psychological task of reflecting on one’s personalities and characteristics (self-reflection), rather than during self-recognition, thinking of the self-concept, or thinking about self-esteem, for example.”
5. Silence relieves stress and tension
And we still don’t remain silent when we’re stressed. Silence reduces the levels of stress hormones therefore making you calmer and preparing you to take on the stressful situation.
6. People who remain silent in stressful situations are great thinkers
A study by Talentsmart suggests that all the top performers have one ability in common and that is to remain calm and controlled during stressful situations. They find silence around chaos and use it for their benefit.
7. Vipassana, the ancient practice of silent meditation, is known to have great health benefits
Vipassana is said to change the lives of people who were unhappy due to stress and tension. It's a great thing to go for if you decide to go for days without uttering a word, and focusing on the good. At first you might face mental inertia, but once you master the meditation technique, there are noticeable health benefits.
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