Let’s get real: how often are you ever alone with your thoughts? If that triggered a shiver down your spine, you’re not alone. Between devices, the noise and hustle of where we live, entertainment, even exercise – many of us don’t give our brains any time to switch off.
We’re addicted to being productive and in a constant state of ‘busy’. Even in our downtime, we’re on a mission to finally listen to that podcast or binge that TV series. Or maybe we’re fearful of letting our thoughts wander…
Where would your mind take you if it had a moment of silence? That’s what the silence test aims to find out. A bit like a plank test, it’s a gauge of your mental fitness and a cognitive workout.
How do I take the silence test?
1. Turn off notifications on your phone, or turn the phone off completely, and put it away. (After you’ve read this article, obvs.)
2. Turn off music, the TV, or any other entertainment or device.
3. Choose a time when your partner/roommates aren’t home, or if you’ve got kids you can wait until they’re asleep. (Chris and Taika can help with that.)
4. You can sit or lie down, but no exercise. (That’s cheating!)
5. Devices and noise off, human interruptions blocked and positioned comfortably. Now… wait.
No, you’re not about to start meditating. Meditation is great, but it’s not what we want here. This is all about letting your mind wander freely.
How long can you stand it?
How do I know when the test is over?
The test is over when you can’t stand the silence anymore – and the urge to find a distraction or be productive takes over.
How did you do? Did you feel bored, restless, or anxious? You may even have had unpleasant or negative thoughts that were difficult to sit with.
Success in the silence test isn’t about doing better than other people – it’s a competition only with yourself. Embrace the process, practice regularly, and see if you can feel more comfortable with nothing but your own thoughts.
Embrace the silence, and let your mind wander.
3 reasons that silence is golden
Being alone with your thoughts might cause some fear, but good things can come from it.
1. You get a chance to check in
Without distractions, feelings and thoughts arise that we might ordinarily push aside or be ‘too busy’ to deal with. This can be uncomfortable or even painful, but it’s a powerful way to check in with your emotional and mental state. If you find the things your thoughts bring up too difficult to confront alone – or notice that you keep pushing one particular train of thought away – this could be a sign to seek professional help.
2. Boredom breeds creativity
Remember boredom? Boredom forces your mind to entertain itself, to engage, and take new paths. Evidence suggests kids – who are now growing up in an electronic world of constant stimuli – are getting worse at tolerating boredom, and may be less creative because of it. So that big new idea you’ve been trying to crack? It might be waiting for you in the silence.
3. You recharge your brain
When we attempt to alleviate silence or stillness with external stimuli, we weaken our ability to focus when we need to. As explained by a neuroscientist, when you are constantly shifting your attention around and not allowing your mind to settle – like when you’re multitasking – it uses up nutrients in your brain, depleting your mental resources. That’s when you end up mindlessly scrolling through social media for hours on end because your mind is too exhausted to make a decision on what it should actually be doing.
Training yourself to shut out distractions and stick with one thought or task at a time will help you to do everything you do better.
So give the silence test a try. You can even write down your thoughts and feelings about the process each time you do it, and track your progress – like with any workout, you’ll notice that consistency delivers the gains you’re looking for.
If you need urgent support, help is available:
USA: National Suicide Prevention Lifeline on 1-800-273-8255
Australia: Lifeline on 13 11 14
UK: Hopeline on 0800 068 4141
Other: Contact your country's crisis support hotline.
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