Our home is supposed to be a bastion of peace in an otherwise loud and chaotic world. We are supposed to be able to step over our threshold and feel a wash of tranquility bathe over us. However, for most people, this isn’t the case.
From the blaring TV’s, ringing smartphones, hairdryers blasting and dogs barking, our home is full of loud noises that disturb the peace. All this noise has a detrimental effect on your physical and mental wellbeing.
For more information on how to reduce noise in your home, visit quiethomelab.com
Decreased Concentration Levels
Being exposed to loud noises and surrounded by sounds reduces your brain’s ability to focus on one thing at a time. In silence, your brain becomes more relaxed and you can devote all your senses to the task at hand.
Increased Blood Pressure
Research indicates that when a person receives a phone call their systolic blood pressure increases. This would suggest that an individual receiving a great deal of phone calls, frequently has their blood pressure raised.
Reduced Brain Growth
A 2013 study revealed that sitting in silence for around two hours resulted in increased brain growth in the hippocampus region. This is the part of the brain responsible for learning new skills, memory and emotional development. It is one of the first times silence has been definitively linked to improved cognitive development.
Higher Stress Levels
Noise leads to elevated levels of stress hormones. Our bodies physical response to a large volume of sound waves reaching our ears is to release cortisol. However, research indicates that even after just two minutes of silence, the stress hormones dissipate and normal blood flow to the brain resumes.
Poor Quality Sleep
Being exposed to noise all day has a detrimental effect on our ability to sleep. A 2015 study found that adults experiencing insomnia were able to sleep better, and reported lower levels of depression, after sitting in silence and meditating. Silent introspection and meditation break up the brains constant train of thought and induces a state of relaxation conducive to sleeping and our mental wellbeing.
Decreased Sensitivity and Awareness
Shutting off the noise, and even speech heightens your awareness in other areas. When finally confronted with a quiet home, you may find yourself noticing things you may not usually be aware of, how pretty the flowers outside your window look, for example, or a newly-built robin’s nest in the corner of your yard, or even the sound of birdsong drifting through the window.
Noise pollution and a busy home can have a negative effect on our physical and mental wellbeing. Instead of building a home that is a sanctuary away from stress and agitation, it brings it to your doorstep, offering no escape or respite from the rigor and bustle of daily life.
Fortunately, there are many ways to make your home quieter and reduce the noise pollution you are exposed to on a daily basis. Consider taking measures to reduce the noise in your home for a healthier body and mind and improved quality of life.
