7 Benefits Of Silence

Author: ​Beverley Powell

Website: readytolead.uk ​

British public holidays. Like them or loath them. Apart from those friends and colleagues who are largely employed within the public sector and other customer facing services, the vast majority of the UK workforce have a paid public working day away from work. For many of us, public holidays can be an opportunity for rest and relaxation, for others, this can be a possible source of stress and anxiety that can involve travelling, or entertaining friends and family, or just simply catching up on those jobs.

Silence
​How many of you build in regular daily or weekly time of more than 30 minutes for just you time in total silence? Over the last twelve months, I have developing my own personal practice where I build in meditation time or to journal and give thanks and gratitude. For me, this has had significant benefits.

Silence is an empty space. Space is the home of the awakened mind:  (Buddah)

Coaching
Several of my past clients have had specific goals in mind. On further exploration of these personal goals having looking at potential barriers to self actualisation, it became apparent that in many cases, a lack of time for self reflection played a big factor and inhibitor to achieving goals. Time for oneself can take many forms. Moreover, with the increase and constant exposure to various digital noise like Twitter, Face Book, WhatsApp, Instagram, emails, text messages, podcast, YouTube, and other mediums, taking a regular digital detox can prove beneficial to overall wellbeing.

Silence is a source of great strength: (Lao Tzu)

Research
​A minimum of 30 minutes a day in silence can have a positive impact on ones overall wellbeing. Being exposed to noise can cause stress hormones to be released by the brain. Noise hurts and silence heals Azriel ReShel (2018)

7 benefits to silence

How do you build in quality quiet time to recharge, digital detox, and heal from all of todays 24 hour noise?

1. Improvement in overall health and wellbeing.
2. Lower blood pressure.
3. The prefrontal cortex is responsible for making decisions solving problems, and can get overloaded when in fast paced noisy environments. Being in silence can help relax and reduce the need for constant focus and the demands on the prefrontal cortex. This reducing stress levels.
4. Boost the immune system.
5. Improves focus, concentration and other cognitive functions.
6. Improves creativity.
7. Meditation teachers attest to the fact that the brain recognises silence and that the brain responds powerfully.

*Reference: World Health Organisation (WHO 2011)
​Images Imagerymajestic: freedigitalphotos.net

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Beverley Powell is a UK certified Life Coach and Educator and national award winner by the Health Service Journal (HSJ) 2014 as a BME Pioneer for her work around strategic inclusion within the National Health Service(NHS), and also by NHS Employers 2014 for work on strategically embedding Diversity through the workforce.

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