I frequently have a high level of noise sensitivity. However, my reaction to noise is worse when I’m feeling overwhelmed or in physical pain. Sometimes I am so bothered by it that my nervous system goes on high alert. I think it triggers the flight-or-fight response for me. We are in a noisy world. Sometimes I feel like I need to escape and I just want it to stop. But that’s frequently not an option. I’m writing this from a North Carolina hotel. I can hear the noise from a very busy freeway that does not stop. It really goes 24 hours a day.
So how do we find peace, if not silence?
Obviously, we only have so much control. So we need to adapt to what supports our body and spirit. When I can’t get away from the noise or shut it out, I do what I can to control my reaction and experience.
- Block the noise
- Earplugs – especially helpful when you are wanting quiet for sleep
- Headphones – the number one way to control the noise you experience
- Noise-canceling earbuds – an excellent way to block out background noise. I find they work for things other than airplanes. They dampen the sound of my treadmill, so I can actually hear the music, and almost act as earplugs even when music isn’t playing. I am really happy with the ones made by Bose.
- Turn off the noise – sometimes this is an option. For example, when I get in the car to go to work or a meeting I don’t turn on the radio.
- Get away from the noise – find a quiet place or take a walk in nature
- Choose your noise
- Your favorite music
- Podcasts
- White noise
Although we can’t control all the noise we come in contact with, we can take steps to provide our own noise or find a little pocket of quiet in a noisy world.