Shh. What do you hear? If you’re anything like most people, there are a lot of noises that are in the background of your setting. For example, do you hear a central air conditioning system? What about the buzz of lights from the ceiling? Are there kids playing outside or birds chirping? Or are you filling your space with the sound of music, television, internet videos, and other noise? Certainly, these things have their place. At Essential Massage Therapy in New Jersey, we love to relax, play our favorite songs, and yes, even put on some bad TV sometimes. But are you depriving yourself of quiet time and the benefits it provides? We know relaxation, and we want to share some news on silence with you! Here are some great benefits of silence.

Lower blood pressure. Constant stimulation keeps you on edge, including your blood pressure. Enjoy some quiet time to reduce blood pressure and your risk of heart attack.

Get sick less often. Silence can help to boost your body’s immune system, helping you fight off that fall cold or winter flu more effectively.

Grow new brain cells. Yes, this is actually true—just two hours of silence encourages the growth of new brain cells in the hippocampus, the part of the brain that is largely responsible for learning, memory, and mood.

Relax better. Just two minutes of silence reduces both physical and mental tension better than listening to music. Why? It reduces blood pressure and improves brain circulation.

Be aware. Unlike your eyes, which you can close against too much stimuli, your ears are always open and ready for listening. When you give them a break, you also give your brain and body a break to calm down and relax. You also build awareness of how you feel, both physically and emotionally.

Why do we ask our customers to shut off their phones when they visit our massage office in Sparta, New Jersey? Not just to keep from disturbing others—we want your visit to be as relaxing as possible.