RESILIENT HEALTH: Noise Pollution and Your Health

www.nonoise.com

It could be a determining factor of health for many. During times of stress, it has been documented that the heart can be affected. Excess noise exposure, long term, has been cited to increase the risk of heart attack and stroke, sleep disturbances, stress, anxiety, an digestive disturbances.

 American Fitness, November 2004 provides noise pollution remedies, by Cosima Jocelyn:

No Noise Rule. Trying to set aside a time in the evenings and a longer period during weekends when you and your family agree to observe a "no noise" rule, which includes among other things, keeping the TV off.

Muffle the sound.  Experts generally agree that prolonged exposure to sounds above 35 decibels can damage hearing.  To put this in perspective, that's the level of sound you get from a lawn mower or city traffic.  If you work in a noisy environment, [or travel by airplane], it's important to wear protective ear plugs or muffs, says Dr. Lusk.

Make home improvements to reduce noise.  [dual paned windows, weather stripping, heavy drapes, even planting tree's and hedges around the perimeter of your home can muffle street noise].

Buy "quiet appliances".  Many appliances now come in quieter versions.  When replacing... do a little comparison listening.

Retreat into inner silence.  Although meditation will not repair hearing damaged by excess noise, it has been scientifically proven to help deal with stress - thus countering much of the negative effect of modern "noise pollution' on body and mind.  Add this to the long list of benefits that come from regular meditation.

EXCERPTS FROM: Noise Pollution
Protect Yourself From Unhealthy Sounds

By Alice Feinstein