Our homes can be noisy places. The noise level has a lot to do with the amount of activity, but even when your family members aren’t particularly active, there are still many sounds. The TV, the stereo, people talking, children laughing, water running, the furnace or air conditioner blowing, and perhaps the washing machine or dryer going, can make for a lot of noise. These and other noises, or the combination of many, may not even be loud, but all that noise together can take its toll on us.
Sometimes, we just need to turn off as many items as we can even for a few moments to relax in the serenity of nearly perfect peace and quiet. While white noise is not as frazzling, pure stillness can be a wonderful thing. Taking a break from all life’s distractions can give us a chance to really think, reflect, and rejuvenate.
When was the last time you enjoyed a few minutes of true peace and quiet? Try turning off as many things as you reasonably can. When the din has died down, you’ll notice just how many sounds there still are. One example is the refrigerator running. You may not be able to achieve complete silence inside your home, but you can attain relative quiet and calm. Then, just be still for a while.
You may also want to go outdoors to relax. Again, you may not be able to find total silence, as the wind whispers, leaves rustle, insects buzz, and far off noises find your ears. Yet, you can enjoy a peacefulness that isn’t possible when racket is coming at you from all directions. Noise can actually intensify frustration and tension, so it’s important to incorporate some quiet time into our lives.
Lying still in the quiet for 20-30 minutes and clearing your mind can do wonders. Doing so gives us the opportunity to rest our bodies and our minds, and can often be as refreshing as a nap.
So, if those Saturday morning cartoons are singing and dancing and prancing not only in your family room but also in your mind, go where you can’t hear them. If the hustle and bustle of the home is making you tense, turn down some of that noise or find somewhere that you can enjoy a few quiet moments. Try it; it will do you good.