We’re surrounded by noise: ‘Silence should be a human right’
Learn how silence can benefit your well-being during Work Stress Week from 11 to 15 November. It’s no surprise that we sometimes need a bit of peace and quiet, says Professor of Auditory Culture Marcel Cobussen. ‘Our brain is exposed day and night to auditory stimuli.’
Hi Marcel, is there such a thing as absolute silence?
‘No, not if you define silence as the complete absence of sound. There are always sounds around us – and you cannot switch yourself off from them. You can close your eyes but your ears still detect stimuli even at night. As we are exposed to these auditory stimuli day and night, our bodies and brains have a lot to contend with. I never use the word silence but low noise or quiet instead.’
Why is this quiet so important?
‘Long-term exposure to loud or a lot of noise is bad for us. Take people living near Schiphol Airport, although that is quite an extreme example. In the long run, too much noise can lead to fatigue, concentration loss and other symptoms in nearly all of us. To escape the daily overstimulation, we go on holiday, for example, or connect with nature, switch off our phones or wear headphones. Silent retreats are becoming more popular too.’
What is the key learning from your research on noise?
‘A holiday or retreat can have a beneficial short-term effect but it’s much better to make structural changes to our everyday environment. One aspect of my work involves advising municipalities and other organisations on acoustic solutions for public spaces. I’ve realised along the way that access to quieter, low-noise places should be a kind of human right. And that the government also has a duty of care to facilitate that. But surprisingly enough, it often escapes developers, architects and planners’ notice that you can design sound and influence how an environment sounds.’
How would you design a low-noise space?
‘You can try to limit noise but it begins with consciously listening to what noise there is before making any interventions. You can also mask unwanted or unpleasant sounds – with the sound of running water, for example. Street design can also play a part. Old city centres in southern Europe have quiet narrow streets that transport you to a very different auditory environment from the busy main road 50 metres away.’
Do you have any final tips for finding more peace and quiet during work?
‘Leiden also has lots of pretty side streets, so don’t forget to go for a walk. Seeking out a different auditory space during your work is important as it is, and it doesn’t necessarily have to be silent. It’s about hearing other sounds for a bit. But ideally the design of the workspace – at home or in the office – where you spend hours every day, should not make you feel you need to escape. So a room you don’t have to share is much quieter than a busy open-plan office. If that isn’t an option, you could think of keeping cupboards open so that books, for example, will absorb some of the noise. Or have an acoustic consultant place furniture in a way that diffuses the noise. And try to use throws, curtains or rugs to minimise smooth surfaces.’
Work Stress Week 2024: free activities to help reduce work stress
During Work Stress Week from 11 to 15 November, you as a staff member can join various workshops and learn how to beat work stress and work on your vitality. For example, sessions on mindfulness, yoga, urban boot camp and strength training for your brain.
New to the programme this year are workshops on the power of silence: not just an hour of meditation but an introduction to how silence can boost your well-being. You will experience the power of silence and relax both body and mind. You will be given exercises and practical tips to help you incorporate more silence into your everyday life.
Want to take part in free activities to help reduce work stress? See the programme and sign up soon.
Text: Evelien Flink
Banner: Daria Nepriakhina via Unsplash