Humans evolved in a world that was mostly silent. But we’ve increased the world’s loudness fourfold.
More than 100 million Americans now live in an amount of noise equal to standing next to a working washing machine or dishwasher.
All the noise we live in is linked to some of our top killers, poor mental health, more stress, and worse learning and productivity.
E.g., Anti-anxiety medication use rises a relative 28 percent for every 10-decibel increase a neighborhood experiences. People who live near loud roads are 25 percent more likely to be depressed. It’s estimated noise was responsible for nearly 2,000 heart attack deaths in Europe.
Seek silence, even if it’s uncomfortable at first. You’ll live better and get more sh*t done.
The benefits of silence
Jan 6
at
4:58 PM