In a 2011 tourism campaign, Finland advertised their country's "silence."
“Instead of saying that [Finland] is really empty and really quiet and nobody is talking about anything here, let’s embrace it and make it a good thing” said one Finnish Tourist Board spokesperson.
Surprisingly, silence might be just the vacation our brain needs!
Research shows that silence increases brain function and helps us "integrate internal and external information."
Noise, on the other hand, distracts and stresses our brains.
For example, people who live near airports produce more stress hormones. These hormones have the important function of filtering out harmful noise, but they also filter out helpful noise.
In our increasingly noisy, busy world, we need periods of silence and calm.
No wonder Psalm 46:10 says "Be still, and know that I am God."
This verse goes beyond an invitation for a brain vacation. It commands us to "cease striving" and let God be God.
We can't all spend time in Finland, but we can all spend time in trust and silence before the Lord!
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Notes:
Cacophony: a harsh, discordant mixture of sounds.
Source for quotes: Silence is Important to Our Brains
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Thank you Psalms and Proverbs for this brillant post. I agree with you 200%.
ReplyDeleteWhen my husband and I watch the hockey games we often mute the commentators as they go on and on and just watch the game!
I have ear phones that allow me peace when the neighbors above us are talking loudly and I hear only Praise music.
I totally have experienced cacophony in my life even when was young. When my parents would argue I would run out of the house.I repent that I didn't day something to them and tell them how hurtful it was to their children . I of course have forgiven them.
How peaceful it is to sit our on our wee Apt. balcony that faces trees and a pond in the midst of a small city.
The sound of the eind whispering through the trees. The sound of the birds sweetly signing and even the honking and quacking of the geese and ducks are so good for the soul.
How awesome of the Finnish Tourist Bureau to come up with this idea!
God bless Finland and her people .
Peace be with you Psalms and Proverbs .
Remarkable post.
Marilynn