In the modern world, dominated by constant digital communication—from texts and emails to social media—it often feels like there is no space left for silence. However, embracing a little more quiet may hold surprising benefits for our bodies, brains, and relationships.
The Biological Case for Quiet
Research into the impact of silence suggests it is a powerful force for both the body and the brain. In one study involving mice, scientists observed that periods of silence promoted the growth of brain cells in the hippocampus, the region responsible for memory related to the senses. Furthermore, another study measuring the body's response to music found a remarkable effect: when silence was inserted into a relaxing music track, subjects experienced a greater drop in blood pressure and heart rate than when listening to the music alone. This suggests that silence inserted within noise is particularly beneficial for relaxation.
Silence as a Therapeutic Tool
Beyond the physical, silence can enable people to talk about things they have never been able to say before. This philosophy is central to the formation of support services like the Samaritans. Inspired by a tragic case where a young girl took her own life out of shame, the Samaritans were founded on the belief that people should have a space to talk about difficult, shameful topics without being judged.
Their approach is centered on the power of silence: they believe in sitting with someone, no matter what they are going through, without feeling the need to answer back, offer solutions, or problem-solve. By providing silent space, they give the person the room to explain what is truly going on for them. Extending this practice—incorporating more silence into normal conversations—could make the world a happier and more empathetic place.
The Spiritual Value and The Danger of Too Much
Silence is also at the heart of most major world religions. In Buddhism, for example, conversation can be seen as something that gets in the way of a deeper understanding of one's own experiences and connection to other people. By stripping away language, practitioners seek a more profound truth.
However, too much silence carries a risk. Monks who spent prolonged periods in isolation experienced a condition known as acidity, characterized by a feeling of torpor and an inability to act. For individuals, excessive, solitary silence can lead to a feeling of losing control over the mind and body. One person who spent nine months on a silent retreat described feeling like he was having a heart attack. It was only when he spoke to a friend and had words and language to attach to his panic that he was able to make sense of the overwhelming sensation and feel better.
Silence, like love, can be strong medicine. It is something we instinctively want and need, but it must be approached with caution, as it has the power to either heal or tear us apart.
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