When did you sit and just do nothing? No computer, no phone, no radio, no TV — just silence, peace and quiet?
Many of us are so busy with jobs, children and social commitments that taking time out to be with ourselves, doing nothing, is rare.
It is only recently that the sound of silence doesn’t make me feel life is too quiet. I always used to replace the sound of silence with a radio, television or iPod.
But now I love silence. It is calming hearing the sounds of nature — the birds singing or the intermittent squeak from a chipmunk or squirrel.
While modern communication is brilliant, I can’t help but wonder that instant information, and constant distraction, isn’t just a little too much. Information and stimulation overload: Could it be toxic?
Instant communication is only relatively recent. Letters may seem old fashioned, but when my husband and I were first going out we wrote letters rather than sending text messages or email!
Why should you slow down and appreciate the silence?
There is power in the peace, the space, of nothing. You can connect with yourself and to your spirit.
Richard Mahler, in his book Stillness: Daily Gifts of Solitude (available to borrow at Whistler Public Library), goes to the mountains of New Mexico for 97 days and lives in silence. He says that spending as little as 10 minutes each day in silence and solitude benefits our mental and physical health.
Couple your time of silence each day with being barefoot outside and see how you feel. Being barefoot on the ground can be incredibly peaceful. It allows you to connect to the power of the Earth — it can relax the body and calm the mind.
Gardening and being amongst nature can ease depression. Sir Richard Thompson, president of the Royal College of Physicians in Britain, says, “Drug therapy can be really expensive, but gardening costs little and anyone can do it."
Clint Ober, in his book “Earthing,” talks about how being grounded (or earthed) can be helpful for inflammatory conditions; it is thought to assist in wound healing, immune function and can even reduce stress. I know if I am having a particularly busy day a brief walk in the garden, or sitting on the ground, can really bring clarity. It calms the nervous system.
So next time you have a busy day with meetings and endless phone calls, why not kick off your shoes and spend a quiet 10 minutes walking on the grass?
Joanna Runciman helps you look and feel more radiant by helping you identify and reduce exposure to synthetic chemicals in your skin care and environment. Visit www.actualorganics.com to get your free “ingredients to avoid” card.
