As I was studying for an environmental science test over the weekend, I came across an interesting fact. Noise. If you think about it, there's noise all around us. There aren't really moments when it's completely quite and peaceful. Anyway, in my textbook, they actually referred to it as "noise pollution" -- how interesting. This basically includes police sirens, car horns and engines, city noises, displeasing human, animal or machine-created sounds that disrupt the activity or balance of human or animal life. Another fact I learned was that the word 'noise' is derived from the Latin word 'nausea' meaning sickness. Hmmm, makes you think.
As I read further, I learned that noise pollutions actually impacts the health of humans! First of all, you can essentially lose part of your hearing. But this noise can also have an effect on other physical aspects of your life and on your psychological health. It can raise your blood pressure which can eventually cause heart disease! This excess noise also can cause aggression and annoyance. In other words, you could be going to anger management just because you're living in the city or in some place with a lot of noise pollution. Crazy right?
When i read this, I just thought, wow. Noise is impacting our personalities and way of life. But it made a lot of sense to me. I'm not a fan of the city noises, especially if I'm falling asleep or something. I think we really do need times when we just sit in complete and utter silence. Ultimate tranquility. I would love nothing more than to sit in the woods just listening to the natural noises out there. That's no noise pollution. To me, that is sheer happiness, peace, and contentment. Noise pollution is the reason I have a sound machine. So when there are nights when I can't fall asleep because the city won't close its mouth, I can escape to a quite summer night in the country, the tropical rain forest, the ocean, or a majestic waterfall, and that will calm my restless body.
I was in the car, listening to music, and I wondered if music would be considered noise pollution. Still not sure. Regardless, the song that came to mind was "Adding to the Noise" by Switchfoot. One line in the chorus goes likes this, "If we're adding to the noise, turn off this song." The rest of the song is awesome, as well as the lyrics.
After learning that there are also physical impacts from noise pollution and not just the possibility of losing my sanity, I'm definitely seeking out more ways to find more relaxed, harmonious, and QUIET moments in my life. You'll probably find me in the woods somewhere, meditating or something, happy as can be, with a really low blood pressure!
**Oh, and since I couldn't add "Adding to the Noise" to my playlist (since it's not that popular), here's a link to the song.
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