Many of us crave a quieter life, according to research, so Monica Cafferky put a silent retreat to the test
There’s no doubt that the world is getting louder; many of us experience traffic or construction noise and loud home appliances daily. Then there’s the endless pinging of our phones. This increase in noise hasn’t gone unnoticed – 57% of adults want a quieter home, according to the Noise Abatement Society. Plus, a survey for Whirlpool found that 54% of people have arguments with their partners about noise levels. Although there’s only myself, my partner John, plus our rescue dog Monkey in our house, I live in a world of noise. Deliveries, mobiles, the radio – and that’s just inside. I long for silence, but with a busy life working from home, I don’t have time to go on a retreat to somewhere like Spain.
However, after searching online, I discover a growing popularity for silent retreats at home, and social media posts on this wellness trend are skyrocketing. Could I be silent for 12 hours in a bid to find some peace and quiet? For some people, a silent retreat takes the form of no talking and no technology, while other people still opt to check their messages in case of emergencies. I decide to do my retreat on a day off work as a writer, on a Sunday, and choose to log off to minimise any distractions. In preparation, I talk to meditation teacher Sarah Bladen, co-author of Practical Zen for Health, Wealth and Mindfulness, who tells me silence is more than the absence of noise. ‘Silence is a gateway to profound insights,’ she explains.
Sarah adds the benefits of connecting to silence are reduced stress levels, increased self-awareness and enhanced emotional balance. She gives me tips for a silent retreat at home and after filling John in, the following day I begin my challenge.
7AM John leaves the house for work before I wake up. I dress without listening to the news, which feels odd. The house feels eerily quiet.
7.45AM During our countryside walk, I don’t chatter to Monkey and pause more to take in the beautiful scenery. But when she picks up a discarded sweet I instinctively shout, ‘Drop it.’ I feel guilty for speaking aloud. Luckily, I don’t meet anyone on the secluded walk, if I had I would have smiled rather than say hello.
8.30AM Back home, I do a yoga practice in the living room without music. In the silence, I can hear my breath better and feel more relaxed than normal after my session.
9.30AM Usually, I watch the news on my iPad while
