Most people are not using one of the greatest health-promoting life hacks, and it’s free. What is this amazing tool you have at your disposal all day every day?

Silence

Are you rolling your eyes or shaking your head in disbelief? If so, you probably haven’t spent a lot of time-powered down. Most people spend their days with some level of constant noise (radio, TV, podcasts, other people). When was the last time you were able to sit quietly, shut out all the sounds bombarding your senses, and just be still? And don’t say when you’re sleeping, LOL.

There’s a saying:

Everything works better if you unplug it. Even you.

This invaluable tool doesn’t require a lot of energy. Try being still for a moment and recognize the effort you’re making. Don’t worry if thoughts come crashing in because they probably will. That’s not the point. It’s sitting in stillness for the sake of being still. The very definition of being still is not moving or making a sound; feeling calm and tranquil. Doesn’t that sound worthwhile, trading a few moments of stillness for calm and tranquility.

But it doesn’t stop there. Silence can help your health in many ways, including:

• lowering blood pressure
• improving concentration and focus
• calming racing thoughts
• stimulating brain growth
• reducing cortisol (the stress hormone that’s running most people’s lives these days)
• stimulating creativity
• improving insomnia
• encouraging mindfulness

All those things are great. But there’s more. Most of the answers to our questions lie in the stillness. Have you ever wanted to know something and just couldn’t figure it out? Maybe it’s related to a work project, or someone has asked you to do something, but you’re not quite sure if you want to. The answer is always there. The reason you can’t find it is it lives in the stillness.

Stillness is a mindfulness practice. And mindfulness is a mental state achieved by focusing awareness on the present moment. Why look ahead where anxiety lives or behind where doubt and regret have taken up residence when you can be still in the here and now?

Don’t let your busy life be the boss of you. Take a stand for stillness.

We’ve reached the end of our reading. Won’t you join me in a moment of silence?

Wishing you well,