Filtering the Noise: The Benefits
One of the great Chinese Philosophers whose teachings guide us to wisdom today taught that
“To the mind that is still, the whole universe surrenders.”
In many ways, industries have opened up again, and there’s been this unrelenting rush back to what we want to describe as “normal.” Truthfully, there are a lot of parts about normal that are broken to which I don’t necessarily want to run back. One of the most significant takeaways from the past couple of years must be the practice of getting quiet. Shutting down the noise internally and externally. While you can’t control the noise externally, filtering the noise from an internal aspect is entirely within your control, and the benefits of getting still or quiet are immense.
Mental stillness can be a gateway to mindfulness which is remarkable for managing anxiety. Silence allows for stillness, being more present, and observing the world around us and ourselves more intentionally. This practice will enable us to engage with ourselves and the world from a better space.
Getting quiet and giving yourself mental downtime sparks creativity. Mental rest is excellent for stimulating creative output.
Getting quiet improves insomnia. According to studies, periods of stillness throughout the day. Silence throughout the day relieves tension, improving sleep quality at night.
Periods of silence can reduce the release of cortisol. Cortisol is a stress level hormone. Excessive amounts can lead to intense overwhelm and even unhealthy weight gain. Stillness is excellent for reducing tension and lowering cortisol production in the body.
There are, of course, more benefits, but these are a few excellent benefits that should be prompting us to create the time for stillness. In our next article, I’ll break down practices of filtering the noise to cultivate habits of silence.
By Kim Jansen