Years ago I camped under sandstone bluffs near the remote “town” of Powder Wash CO. Powder Wash is located in the northernmost region of Colorado, 44 miles from the nearest town, Baggs, WY, which boasts a population of 411. This abandoned town was developed after the early oil boom of the 1920’s. There were 22 homes in Powder Wash back in the day. Since they only had each other for entertainment, families stayed active with softball games, dances, parties and ice skating in the winter.
Camping in the hills surrounding Powder Wash graced us with an isolated, wind-swept, silence-saturated environment. It’s one of the few places I’ve been where the lack of noise wraps around you like a thick blanket. It provided space for the mind to wander. In the evenings, you could look through the rosy glow of sunset out over the terra cotta hillsides and hear only the wind. The quiet was good for the soul.
The Benefits of Silence
Studies prove that silence is good for us. A study by the World Health Organization said noise pollution can lead to higher blood pressure and fatal heart attacks. Another study found high rates of cholesterol and hypertension in individuals regularly exposed to loud noises at work.
Here are 5 reasons why “going remote” is good for your mental and physical health:
- Silence can stimulate new brain cell growth (as can listening to classical music – more on that in another post)
- It can also improve memory and release tension
- Quiet times can reduce insomnia and fatigue
- Another benefit includes enhanced creativity — we’re able to think more freely
- We gain wisdom — we become more self-aware when we’re not distracted by smart phones, television, radio, street-noise or non-stop conversation
You don’t have to drive all the way to Powder Wash to benefit from silent spaces. Turn the radio off while you’re driving. Put on noise-cancelling headphones and “rest your eyes” for five or ten minutes. Turn off the TV and switch your phone to mute. Introduce quiet hours to your household.
Give yourself the life-affirming sounds of silence at least once a day for better health, mental sharpness and a refreshed perspective.
But What About the Fun?
You can only listen to yourself think for so long, so what do you do for fun when there’s nothing around you but rocks and sagebrush? Well, you go exploring for one thing.
We found layers of sandstone encased sea shells, no doubt swept downstream and piled up on top of one another at a time when the area was all underwater. We uncovered this shell encrusted piece of rock sticking out of a cliff at 6800 ft. above present day sea level.
There was an old historical stone survey marker from the early 1800’s and some “balancing” rocks where wind eroded the surrounding softer sandstone to reveal harder rock hidden beneath.
There were lots of feral/wild horses running with abandon.
There were dead trees with gnarly roots and a silly lady striking a pose.
And there was plenty of open road leading us back to civilization.
Please let me know in the comments: how has silence contributed to your mental health and sense of well being? Have you noticed how noise impacts your ability to concentrate? What goals would you have to build more silence into your life?