Silence is golden, as the old adage goes, and it could be the secret to good physical and mental health too. Or so say the proponents of the ‘Speech Fasting’ trend.
Speech Fasting, like the name suggests, is the practice of staying completely silent for a long period of time. The wellness trend recently rose to popularity after Scottish singer Lulu claimed that she stays completely silent till midday. In the interview with The Guardian, the singer said that the odd practice helps preserve her vocal cords.
But does it have any benefits for people who don’t belt out songs onstage for a living? As it turns out, being silent has a multitude of health benefits.
A 2006 study found that two-minute period of silence after listening to music significantly reduced subjects’ heart rate and blood pressure levels. Similarly, a 2021 study found that participants who performed tasks that require concentration in silence experienced the least cognitive load and had the lowest levels of cortisol, the stress hormone.
Aside from this, being silent can also improve focus, stimulate brain growth and help deal with insomnia.
On the flip side, being silent for a long time can often be impractical for many of us. It can hinder quick and effective communication and cause needless stress. To summarise, practicing ‘Speech Fasting’ in moderation is a good solution for people who are not used to being silent for long periods of time.
What is your take on this wellness trend?
- Quick links
- Speech Fasting
- wellness
- Trends
- Health
