More well-being + relaxation: How good silence really is for you – according to a study
Are you one of those people who constantly listens to music or has the TV on constantly so there's never a moment of silence? You should reconsider this habit, as recent research shows.
We live in a world where we're practically constantly bombarded with noise. Music is constantly playing somewhere, Instagram Reels or TikToks are constantly bombarding us—or we hear street noise and other people. Yet, hardly anything is as good for us and as readily available (hello, noise-canceling headphones!) as silence. Current research shows what peace and quiet can do for us.
The Freiburg Silence Studies and the Effects of RestPsychologists Prof. Dr. Eric Pfeifer of the Catholic University of Applied Sciences Freiburg and Dr. Marc Wittmann of the Institute for Frontiers of Psychology and Mental Health Freiburg have been conducting the so-called Freiburg Silence Studies since 2015, researching the effects and perception of silence. The results of their research show that even a few minutes of silence can improve our well-being .
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The studies are comprised of various research projects that examined the effects of silence in nature, for example, in forests or parks, and indoors in individual and group settings. Standardized measurement instruments and questionnaires, as well as interviews and group discussions, were used. The research team collaborated with students and academic staff at the Catholic University of Applied Sciences Freiburg for the studies.
At the heart of the various studies is always the question of how silence is perceived – especially in relation to health and well-being. Studies have shown that just six and a half minutes of silence can have positive effects on our mental health. In this short period of time, our mood can improve, our thoughts can be reduced, relaxation can be promoted, and our perception of time can change.
How we can use silence for ourselves"The Freiburg Silence Studies open new perspectives for therapy, health promotion, and the relevance of aesthetic experience in psychosocial work," states the Catholic University of Freiburg's press release on the research. "They call for us to no longer understand silence as emptiness, but rather as a potential space for self-awareness, self-reflection, and mindfulness."
So, the next time you feel the urge to immediately turn on the TV, a podcast, or some music when things are too quiet for you, try enjoying the silence for what it is – your mental health will thank you.
mbl Brigitte
brigitte
