Tag Archives: turn down the noise

Peace and Quiet

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27
Sonoran Mountain
The McDowell Sonoran Preserve across the street from our neighborhood.

I’ve noticed lately that we have constant noise around us. There may be a TV on in the background or I’m listening to a podcast. For peace and quiet, I head outdoors for a walk or to sit on the zero gravity recliner in the backyard. Then I hear birds, the wind rustling through trees and I decompress.

I was wondering where the term “peace and quiet” came from.

peace and quiet

Tranquillity and freedom from disturbance. This phrase’s redundancy- quiet here does not mean “lack of sound” but “peacefulness”-gives added emphasis. It often is used in wishes for this condition, as in 
All I want is a little peace and quiet. [Mid-1800s]

https://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/peace+and+quiet

It turns out that peace and quiet is more important than you might think. According to Psych Central, there are seven benefits of silence:

Dialing down the noise may offer significant psychological and mental health advantages.

Do you welcome silence, or do you cringe at the mere idea of sitting with your thoughts?

We live in a noise-filled world, and for some, the constant background clatter helps us tune out any unwanted thoughts that may fill our minds.

For others, spending time in silence can provide a moment for some much-needed clarity. If you fill your free time with noisy activities, you may be missing out on the advantages that silence can provide.

https://psychcentral.com/blog/the-hidden-benefits-of-silence

Some of the benefits listed in the article above included mindfulness, self-awareness, stress relief and stimulating brain cells! I am all for that! I could use all the brain cells being stimulated I can find. I also am not a fan of stress.

Ironically, I was listening to a podcast that promoted peace and quiet. Then I decided to turn it off so I could enjoy some for myself.

Where do you find peace and quiet or peacefulness?

How to be your own life coach

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16
cat on sofa
Olive the cat.

I found a helpful article in the Wall Street Journal which was exactly what the doctor ordered. Called “Stressed? Worn Down? Its Time to Be Your Own Life Coach” by Elizabeth Bernstein. Here’s an excerpt:

You can’t always count on friends or family members for support. During tough times, you can learn to coach yourself.

Ever wish you had someone in your corner 24/7—cheering you on, picking you up when you’re down, helping you set goals and deal with life’s challenges?

Better look in the mirror.

It’s time to become your own life coach. You can’t always count on friends or family members for constant support—especially now, when everyone seems buffeted by uncertainty. Professional coaches (and therapists) can provide valuable help, but they’re pricey, aren’t typically on call at all hours, and established ones may be hard to book.

The ability to mentally coach yourself is particularly important now, as we head into another unexpectedly hard season. The appearance of a new Covid-19 variant—just when we thought the pandemic was lifting!—has thrown many of us back into the stress of fear and uncertainty. It has arrived just in time for the holidays, which can be a lonely or bittersweet time for many, especially those who are grieving.

“You need to be your own best friend,” says Lo Myrick, a mind-set coach and business consultant based in Charlotte, N.C. “You need to take responsibility for yourself.”

Research in a concept that psychologists call self-determination shows that having the ability to draw on internal resources, such self-regulation or self-compassion, during tough times is essential to our well-being and performance. We’re strongest and most stable when we’re motivated from within, have control over our decision-making and time, and feel a sense of purpose.

https://www.wsj.com/articles/its-time-to-be-your-own-life-coach-heres-how-11638976169?mod=Searchresults_pos1&page=1

She goes on to give four tips on how to coach yourself:

Turn down the noise.

Start reflecting

Think small

Practice acceptance

To get the details, please read her article HERE.

I’ve also noticed that when I’m feeling sad, Olive the cat is right by my side. She’s been exceptionally affectionate lately. She must know we’ve grieving and she’s doing her best to make my husband and I feel better.

I’m also looking forward to Christmas with my children and friends. I can’t wait to give then all a big hug.

What are your thoughts on being your own life coach? Isn’t that the same as being resilient?