The Power of Silence
The world has become fast-paced, noisy and demanding. This isn’t just a feeling; it’s a fact. It is estimated that the brain processes 11 million stimuli every second. Thanks to smartphones, the radio and the internet, that’s significantly more than, say, 100 years ago. Our brain filters these stimuli and allows us to consciously perceive around 40 of them. It’s like a high-performance sport – and can be very tiring in the long run.
27 November 2025
The consequences of sensory overload
When we feel stressed, irritable, frantic or constantly tired, we are quick to blame our never-ending to-do list. Yet it isn’t always work or family that’s taking its toll – it can also be the noise of everyday life, that is, the constant stream of stimuli. In the long term, this can lead to difficulties concentrating, a drop in performance, anxiety, low mood or even sleep disorders.
Harnessing the power of silence
When things quieten down around us and external stimuli diminish, the brain can recover. It refocuses, making room for new ideas, creative thoughts and different perspectives. If we reduce the barrage of external stimuli, we can refocus more on ourselves. Our own values, genuine desires, self-awareness and gut feelings have a chance to come through to us once again. We become more aware of our feelings and can process them better because we are not simply distracting ourselves. This can lead to greater balance. When the tendency to compare ourselves with others – something social media makes all too easy – falls away, our sense of contentment increases.
The power of silence is also quickly felt on a physical level: we sleep better, can concentrate more easily and remember things better. Periods of silence lead to a significant drop in blood pressure and the stress hormone cortisol. This also reduces the risk of heart attacks, strokes and other stress-related illnesses. Research findings further suggest that silence promotes the growth of new nerve cells in the hippocampus. These are important for orientation and memory.
How to achieve silence
It sounds so simple: consciously putting your mobile phone away completely for an evening. Reaching for a good book instead of the remote control. In practice, however, this exercise requires a great deal of self-discipline. The reason for this lies in our reward system. Every ‘like’ and every notification – or rather, the anticipation of them – triggers a release of dopamine in the brain. Because that feels pretty good, we want more and more of it. The result is addictive behaviour. As with other addictions, the dose eventually has to be increased because constant stimulation gradually desensitises us.
If you find ‘cold turkey’ difficult, you can start by setting aside a quarter of an hour of silence every day. During this time, you simply do nothing. You can meditate and let your thoughts wander. You can look out of the window or consciously enjoy a cup of tea in absolute silence. The only important thing is that you do not distract yourself or allow yourself to be distracted during this time. No music, no mobile phone, no podcasts. Gradually increase this time. Impose a ‘no noise’ rule on yourself an hour before going to bed. And leave your mobile phone outside the bedroom door.
Silence in the olive grove
Our guests at the Hotel Lemongarden often tell us what a place of rejuvenation our olive grove is. Anyone who sits beneath one of the ancient trees, with only the chirping of cicadas or the twittering of birds in their ears, feels refreshed, revitalised and ready for new adventures. We too are currently recharging our batteries during the winter break, just like the natural surroundings of our boutique hotel right by the sea. However, we are already looking forward to welcoming guests again from April 2026 and hope that you will be among them.
Tip!
On our Hotel Lemongarden blog, "Message in a Bottle", you’ll find plenty of inspiring articles on a wide variety of topics. Why not start planning your stay right now with our Brač travel guide? Bookings for 2026 are already open.
