The Sounds of Silence

“The rhythms of nature remind us to tune in to our own natural rhythms, so we know when to surge forth and when to relax. ”
— Beth Kempton

Living in the modern world brings many conveniences, but it’s not all snow cones and sunshine. One thing we deal with as modern human beings is an exorbitant amount of noise. Noise can be audible sounds coming from the environment, or it can be the mental cacophony inside your head. Whether it’s the sounds of traffic-filled streets and honking horns, or the endless chatter going on between your ears, noise pollution is a real nuisance.

If you’re like most people, internal and external noise can be a constant distraction that can debilitate performance or cause cognitive paralysis. For those who experience mental overstimulation, silence becomes a goal we chase.

But is silence the antidote to noise pollution?

Noise shows its face in many forms. Common culprits include vehicles, music, tools, phones, computers, games, and loud, talkative people. These noisy things affect our ability to receive, process, and output information. Sounds distract us and impede our ability to concentrate. Our brains get overloaded, which makes it harder for us to think clearly, leading to poorer decision-making performance…