September 11, 2018 – Lately I’ve been taking in a few different documentaries on the lives of various celebrities. A few weeks ago, I watched one on Robin Williams, viewed a retrospect on Betty White on PBS, and this weekend I decided to take in the one recounting the life of Mr. Fred Rogers. I highly recommend the one on Mr. Rogers and, like many of my friends alerted me, you’ll definitely be emotional by the end of the film!

One thing jumped out at me when I was watching his life story: his thoughts on silence. After finishing the film, I came across this quote from him online:

It seems to me that some of us value information over wonder, and noise over silence. And I feel that we need a lot more wonder and a lot more silence in our lives.

What a statement for the world we live in today! I know I often arrive home and turn on the TV for no apparent reason other than to have background noise—definitely a remnant of my childhood. I go to the gym, and nearly everyone has earbuds in listening to something. We tend to inundate ourselves with a cacophony of just…stuff…we all can do without!

Science supports silence as being good for the human body. Studies have shown quiet time improves memory, stimulates the growth of new brain cells, relieves stress and helps combat insomnia.

Naturally, you likely know where I’m headed: to the hot tub and sauna as a place to get away and embrace the wonder of silence. Ditch all that outside interference and make a conscious effort to get away, be with yourself, and embrace peace & quiet. It will benefit both your physical and mental well-being. Who doesn’t need more of that in their life?