Spending time in the still quiet has been shown to restore the nervous system, help us sustain energy, condition our minds to be more adaptive and responsive to our increasingly chaotic environments.
Let’s face it—modern life has gotten very noisy. To keep up with grind, recent studies suggest it’s beneficial to take time for deep silence. Spending time in the still quiet has been shown to restore the nervous system, help us sustain energy, condition our minds to be more adaptive and responsive to our increasingly chaotic environments.
In a recent interview, journalist and author Ta-Nehisi Coates made the case for setting aside time to sit in silence to facilitate clear and creative thinking. Coates believes that generating good ideas and quality work requires quiet. According to Imke Kirste at Duke Medical School, quieting your mind as well as your environment promotes the development of new cells in the hippocampus, the learning and memory center of the brain. The kind of quiet that is truly beneficial comes from separating yourself from mobile devices, social media, and constant communication.
Our brains have developed a response reflex that requires that we continually have to think of what to say. Eliminating this inner dialogue, or “noise” clears the way for our brains to drop into deeper modes of listening, where we can encounter new ideas and receive information that is vital to creativity and productivity. When the constant online chatter is eliminated, we are able to pay closer attention to the places where inspiration awaits. It sounds great, right? the challenge is making time in your busy schedule to cultivate productive silence.
There are a few simple strategies that can help you find the time. Start by seeking out five minutes of quiet time after meetings to give yourself a break. Get outside if you can, or find another quiet place where you can reflect and replenish. Most cities and towns have at least one public green space or park. Find a place near work or home where you can escape for a few hours without your phone. Take a walk, sit quietly in nature, and discover clearer thinking. On your next day off, try turning off your media for a few hours, or get brave and give yourself the day off from electronic media. Take the time to engage in family conversation and give your mind a break from tracking current events and thinking about work.
Another great way to clear space in your schedule is to delegate routine tasks to a personal concierge. Hiring a professional to handle your list of regular tasks helps you manage your obligations while making time to practice good self-care. Good Neighbor Concierge provides efficient, secure personal and business services that range from dropping off your vehicle for an oil change to caring for your home while you are away for work or leisure. We can handle the details of your next holiday party or handle the details of planning your next trip. Make time to take care of yourself. Call Good Neighbor Concierge today at 617.209.9311 or complete the contact form in the sidebar to schedule your free consultation.
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