Today I want to share a personal tale that speaks to the often-overlooked detriments of noise, especially from the perspective of someone who thrives on peace and tranquillity. As a holistic healer, my world is built on the foundations of calmness, stillness, and the gentle hum of nature’s melody. Yet, my current living situation is anything but tranquil.
Picture this: Amar and I live in a cozy apartment, perfect in size and comfort, yet it is besieged by a cacophony of sounds from all sides.
Upstairs, we have neighbours who seem to have mistaken their apartment for a dance studio and playground. The constant thud of footsteps as the screaming children run up and down the hallway, and play on the landing outside their apartment, whilst the adults shuffle around, talking loudly on their phones make it feel like we are living under a herd of buffaloes. The noise often continues into the early hours of the morning. Despite numerous requests for them to have some consideration for those of us below, our requests have fallen on deaf ears. They just don’t seem to understand or care.
As if that weren’t enough, the building we live in is itself a constant construction zone. Maintenance work starts bright and early, often with the piercing sounds of drills and hammers that reverberate through the whole building, seeping into every corner of our sanctuary.
To top it all off, just below us in the opposite street is a builder’s yard. The sounds of heavy machinery, steel rods being thrown around, and the persistent noise of trucks reversing create an orchestra of chaos. It’s a symphony of disruption, and it’s playing on repeat.
As a holistic healer, I understand deeply how detrimental such noise pollution can be to our well-being. Here in Nairobi, not many people pay attention to this. Noise seems to have become a ubiquitous part of life. But its effects can be monumental.
“The quiet of everything impressed him. In spite of having spent so much time in the mountains, he had just taken it for granted that mountains were quiet, and had not realized how much of the noise in the world was man-caused.
There had been many definitions of Man; he would make another: “The noise-producing animal.”
George R. Stewart, Earth Abides
Let me share a few insights on the impact of this incessant noise on our health:
- Mental Well-being:
Noise can be a silent saboteur of mental peace. The constant barrage of loud sounds triggers our body’s stress response. Elevated cortisol levels, increased heart rates, and heightened anxiety are just a few of the immediate effects. Over time, this relentless stress can lead to chronic conditions such as hypertension and insomnia. - Physical Health:
Our bodies are finely tuned instruments, and noise can throw them out of balance. Studies have shown that long-term exposure to noise pollution can contribute to cardiovascular diseases. The persistent drone can also interfere with our sleep patterns, leading to fatigue and decreased immune function. - Emotional Stability:
Noise affects our emotional stability more than we realize. It can lead to feelings of frustration, irritability, and even depression. For someone like me, who relies on a calm mind to heal and guide others, this constant noise can feel like an emotional storm, disrupting the inner peace I strive to maintain. - Spiritual Fulfilment:
Noise pollution can sever our connection to the spiritual realm. The constant clamour drowns out the subtle whispers of our inner selves and the universe. Meditation, a cornerstone of my spiritual practice, becomes a challenge when surrounded by noise. The serene space needed for introspection and connection gets overshadowed by the external chaos.
Finding Solutions:
So, what can be done in such a noisy environment? Here are a few strategies that have helped me cope:
Create a Quiet Zone: Designate a room or a corner of your home as a noise-free sanctuary. Use noise-cancelling headphones, white noise machines, or even nature sounds to mask the external din. It’s gotten so bad where we are that we can only sleep with our white noise machine on every night. I’m not sure how healthy that really is!
Mindful Meditation: Practice mindfulness and meditation to centre yourself amidst the chaos. Even a few minutes a day can help restore balance.
Soundproofing: Invest in soundproofing materials like heavy curtains, rugs, and door seals to reduce the noise infiltration.
Nature Retreats: Whenever possible, take short trips to quieter places. Reconnect with nature and recharge your senses. I do this often, and we are lucky that we have a place we can escape to in Nanyuki – but even if it is just a walk in the forest, or a few hours in nature, it all helps.
Last Resort: And, if it all becomes too unbearable, then maybe it’s time to move!
In the last few weeks I have realised that noise pollution is more than just an annoyance; it’s a pervasive intruder that is hugely impacting on my holistic well-being.
By acknowledging its effects and taking proactive steps, I am reclaiming my peace and harmony. So, over to you now. Take stock of the noise around you. What can you hear? How does it make you feel? What can you do to bring some peace and quiet into your environment?
Wishing you all a harmonious and serene day ahead!