The pace of life in today’s world has become non-stop. And the world has also got louder.
Radios and TVs constantly blare out. Congested roads fill our environments with engine noise. And even at work, there is a steady stream of noisy interruptions.
With our auditory senses under relentless attack, it’s no wonder that…
You’ve Become Too Busy to Have Quiet Time
All that noise. Have you ever considered what it’s doing to your ability to think and be productive?
You may suppose that a noisy and busy environment helps you to work – but to be truly creative and productive you must find quiet times.
A recent study by Duke University Medical Center found that silence is associated with the development of the hippocampus (a brain region associated with learning and memory).[1]
Research undertaken by physician Luciano Bernardi found that two-minute intervals of silence between music resulted in more stable respiratory and cardiovascular systems, compared to even listening to “relaxation” music.[2]
It’s clear that quiet times are essential to our physical, emotional and mental health.
But…
You’re Probably Struggling to Find Solitude and Silence
I sympathise. Your kids never stop screaming, your dog never stops barking, and your life is just endless noise and distraction.
If you work in an open-plan office, then there are constant interruptions. If you live in a busy, family home, then there are constant disruptions!
Even if you escape your office or home, the shops and cafés that you may choose to visit are also filled with people, noise and disturbances.
It’s a genuine challenge to find quiet times. But there are ways you can achieve this.
Let’s take a look now at…
The 7 Best Ways to Find Quiet Time – Even When You’re Busy
Quiet time is essential if you want to reach your peak creativity and productivity.
Here are my recommendations:
1. Wake up early.
Time management is everything. And this starts with waking up early! If you make this a habit, you’ll not only find yourself ahead of the pack, but you’ll also be blessed with a peaceful period of time that is perfect for clear and creative thinking.
2. Take a walk in the park.
If your work never ends, then you’ll never find time to relax. Don’t let this happen to you. Instead, make a point of taking regular breaks. If you live or work near a park, then this gives you a wonderful opportunity to walk in nature. You’ll definitely benefit from the exercise, fresh air and change of scenery.
3. Leave your headphones at home.
Do you wear headphones when you’re commuting to college or work? If you do, then you’re starting your day off in a noisy fashion. Try leaving your headphones at home, and instead, give you mind chance to work on solutions to problems. You may find that your commute becomes your most productive time.
4. Switch off your mobile device.
Everywhere you look – people are staring at their mobile devices. Many of them seem to be hypnotized. Let’s be honest, most of us have become addicted to breaking news, social media updates, and even the latest version of Pokémon Go! These things can be fun, but they shouldn’t be taking over our lives. Try this test: Switch off your mobile phone for a full 24 hours, and see how much more relaxed and productive you feel.
5. Book a meeting room for yourself.
Office work can swing rapidly from typing at a desk to talking in meetings. With this constant to-and-fro, it’s hard to ever feel calm and collected. However, I have a suggestion for you. Why not book a meeting room just for yourself? That way, you can choose to either work on your laptop in peace and quiet – or simply enjoy the silence for 10 minutes or so.
6. Find time for meditation.
You don’t need to be a guru to practice meditation. In fact, it can be as easy as just finding time for quiet contemplation. Many highly successful people use this technique, including Hugh Jackman and J.K. Rowling. The benefits of silent periods are many. You’ll likely have more energy, more focus and deeper thoughts. And once you become familiar with the inner bliss that comes from this practice, you may decide to enroll on a meditation retreat.
7. Go to bed early.
I advised you to wake up early. And the best way to do this – is to go to bed early! By doing this, you’ll build powerful self-discipline, and also find yourself with regular spells of quiet time. If you go to bed early, you can use the minutes before you sleep as a way to clear your thoughts from the day, and allow new ideas to come to mind. One added benefit: Going to bed early means you’re likely to sleep deeper.[3]
There’ll always be busy times in your life, but make sure to balance these with regular periods of tranquillity.
You’ll be amazed at how much calmer you feel – and how much more productive you’ve become.
Featured photo credit: ABC News via abcnews.go.com
