Sitting in silence for two hours can stimulate the generation of new brain cells: Expert opinion

Silence is outlined because the absence of intentional noises and sounds, and it really works as a regenerative course of. A preferred and time-tested proverb, ‘speech is silver, silence is golden, ‘encourages valuing silence much more than phrases.

Nevertheless, within the present state of affairs, most of us have grow to be so used to noise that we grow to be uncomfortable after a number of seconds of silence, as it could convey uncertainty, unfavourable feelings and panic.

On this age of social media, our intolerance for silence may even set off episodes of hysteria. Conversations between human beings have lengthy been related to emotions of shallowness and social validation; thus, even temporary moments of silence can grow to be disconcerting.

Nevertheless, the apply of remaining in silence for a restricted period of time on daily basis may very well assist in restoring mind well being and resilience, as per Dr Pawan Ojha, Director of Neurology, Fortis Hiranandani Hospital, Vashi, Navi Mumbai.

A research performed by Imke Kirste and colleagues in 2013 discovered that silence improves focus, kindles creativity, improves relationships, promotes self-awareness, de-stresses, and improves studying and productiveness.

The research detailed how simply two hours of silence per day may create new mind cells which can be linked to studying, reminiscence, and emotion regulation. Many scientific research have constantly highlighted how silence can have a constructive impact on the physique by serving to decrease blood strain, lowering the manufacturing of stress hormones, minimising plaque formation in arteries and regulating hormone manufacturing and the immune system. 

What does silence actually do to the mind?

Silence modifications the mind and the hippocampus, the ‘flash drive of the mind’ particularly: Silence can have astonishing results on the hippocampus, a mind area concerned in reminiscence, cognition and emotional regulation. That is also known as the flash drive of the mind, as it’s related to reminiscence consolidation like a flash drive. The impact silence has on the mind could also be a results of enhanced neurogenesis, i.e., the formation of recent neurones (even higher than that induced by nice music). This was proven in a landmark research by Imke Kirtse in 2013.  Silence causes stress discount, which in flip enhances the hippocampus’ well-being. This results in enhanced reminiscence and improved studying because the hippocampus can consolidate and retrieve info extra effectively. Silence additionally relieves the mind of sensory overload or noise that usually overwhelms the mind areas.

In silence, the mind goes into resting mode; it prompts DMN (default mode community), which is vital for inner reflection, creativity and reminiscence processes. Thus, silence may very well be very useful to mind well being, particularly the hippocampus. When practised appropriately, it may improve neuronal progress and synapse formation, scale back stress, and enhance reminiscence and cognition. It could actually additionally induce improved studying and deeper internal reflection. Probably the most well-known research on this area was performed by Duke College-based regenerative scientist Imke Kirste, who studied the consequences of varied sounds on the brains of grownup mice. By dividing the mice into 4 teams and feeding them completely different stimuli: Mozart piano music, calls of child mice, white noise and silence. The purpose was to determine that sure sounds may assist neurogenesis, and the crew discovered that the group of mice with essentially the most important improve in mind cells was the one which remained in silence. 

Thus, one ought to treasure calm, noise-free moments extra due to research just like the one at Duke College and innumerable others that reveal the advantages of stillness for mind improvement and maturation.

ALSO READ: These Vastu mistakes can trigger Rahu’s wrath at home