WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT SOUNDS AND HOW THEY AFFECT US

It's not new!!  We all know what a sound is. We must have been taught by our physics or phonics teacher what sound is in elementary school but we definitely were not taught how these sounds affect our overall well being - maybe though, but still with little emphasis.

You might be thinking what new thing you will have to learn about sounds. Stay with me - you definitely are not here to learn in details about wavelengths or frequency. I'll leave that to your physics teacher.

While all of the characteristics of sounds, types and many definitions of it are vital, the end of all the long search of knowledge is to seek sounds' relation to our environment and Yes, to humans also.

WHAT SOUNDS SURROUNDS US?

Today we are surrounded by multiple sounds from the ringing phones, the vehicles that run the road, the dog that barks in the neighborhood, the sound of keys clinging as it is thrown on the table, to the ticking of the clock and the laughter of little children at the playground.

At night also, and even while we sleep, we are not completely shrouded from sounds - the high pitched chirping sounds of crickets, the snore of a friend sleeping next to you or the whirling sound of the wind that you hear outside the window are night sounds we almost can't completely eradicate.

Even when you think there are no sounds around you, you are still not completely free from them - you possibly just can't hear them! Sounds impossible? Maybe you've heard about ultra and infra sounds.

To give you an insight, ultrasounds are way too high and above the capacity of the human hearing. The same goes for infra sounds which are too low for the human ears to pick. They one way or another affect us but are not the centre of discussion for today.

I have noticed how the sounds I have heard affected the things that I did, how productive I became and sometimes how bad I felt.
Everything that our life produces or does not can be closely linked to what we hear. Unfortunately careful consideration is not take to the things we hear.

Let's explore sound and see what amazing things we should know about sounds. Take your time to read every word, you'd be surprised at the things you're yet to know.

SOME SOUNDS CAN INDUCE STRESS

Noise has all to do with how you respond to a sound rather than the sound in itself.

Noise is usually what the kind of sounds that causes stress is termed. I have always thought that noise was loud sounds that came from squeaky doors, aeroplanes, as well as the cry of babies; and these may apply but not generically.

Noise is simply an unwanted sound, one perceived to be unpleasant and oftentimes individualistic. You could be in a room where a song that does not resonate with you is played and you are irritated by the sound yet another dances to the tune so enjoyably.

So you see, noise has all to do with how you respond to a sound rather than the sound in itself. If your response is unpleasant, your brain reacts by releasing stress hormones.

Note that your response to sound depends on your conditioning - this may explain why certain kinds and approach to the communication of people may feel irksome to you.

You sure know now that compelling a friend to turn off his playing music because you feel it is infuriating, may not be a right approach.

If the music is loud, you can request that the volume be turned low. Better still, you can vocalize calmly requesting that it is turned off for your sake.

YOUR EMOTIONS CAN BE GREATLY DEPENDENT ON SOUNDS.

You're feeling so lazy and unproductive and all of a sudden a sound flows through your ears from the radio and you are up again as though there was some magic happened.

At some other time, you feel so energetic and lively and a certain sound comes that makes you lethargic and careless. Isn't it amazing how sounds can affect our emotions and how we get things done?

If you truly want to maximize the impact of your life and your overall wellbeing, then you must learn to choose the things you listen to.

Do you know that sounds can bring back memories or make you live your yesterday. The human mind has the ability to travel to the past using sounds.

Therefore we will need to be cautious lest we get ourselves hooked and entangled with sounds that make us as depressed as when we first heard those sounds. I use sounds to my advantage - playing sounds that remind me of how hard and diligently I've worked in the past while I listened to them and once again I subconsciously walk that path again.

Sounds can drive you to the past, make you live the moment or even transport you to the future. The choice is yours how you want to handle it.

PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR OWN SOUND

Do you know that what makes words believable is never the truthfulness of those words but the mode of its expression?

We mentioned earlier the sounds made by inanimate objects; now this has to do with sounds in respect to human relation.

Passing information and communicating with colleagues, friends and families requires speaking which involves sound.

Harnessing the power of sound is one thing great speakers do not toil with and even if you're not one, you still are not left out. Whichever way you will have to deal with people in your business or in the classroom or anywhere else where humans are involved.

It is therefore vital that when you speak to people whether one or more, you take note of how you present every matter. Think twice faster than you speak, it will help you know what you have to say next as well as how you should say it.

Do you know that what makes words believable is never the truthfulness of those words but the mode of its expression? Liars take this to their advantage as they can manipulate the tone of their voice alongside their facial expression which gives them some illusory credibility.

While you pay attention to all the sounds around you, pay attention to that which will be generated from within you.

No sound is neutral, they are either helpful or stressful. There's already so much activities around people that contribute to stress. So be conscious about making the best out of the things you say to suit you and also others.

STUDY AND REST WITH SOUNDS

Scattered through the internet are varieties of sounds for relaxing (ambient sounds, white noise and nature sounds). I spent longer times of study when I listen to sounds such as those.

Neuroscientists say they can help you have a good reading experience and they are great for sleep too.
I love the sounds of nature while I sleep, they can give you an outdoor sensation even while you're indoor. They are externally focused oriented.

Examples are the sounds of raindrops, waterfall, the sounds of birds in the forest or thunder sounds.
As I said earlier, sounds help you travel to the past and even the future but their ability is not limited to that. They are as well capable of provoking a state of mind.

If you've picked up a book to read and had difficulty concentrating. You can use these sounds to your advantage. You'll also realize that because you have a bed to lie on does not mean you can have quality rest. Why not then get one of these sound to aid better sleep.

In the midst of many sounds, figure out the needful ones and make the most of them. Remember if they add no benefit, then they weary you.

SOUNDS PROVOKE THOUGHTS WHICH LEADS TO ACTION.

The potency of negative statements is felt when it gets to your heart; outside which it has no power. Immunize your heart.

Ask any great leader about his success story and he will tell you about the words he heard in the past that has shaped him. Ask any sportsman the same and there - they will tell you how their success is linked to the things they heard too.

A positive statement would make an ugly person walk into a room with so much confidence shown in her gait yet another beautiful lady walks into the same room with a low level of self esteem because of the degrading words she heard of herself from the mouth of others.

I heard the story of a man also who was interviewed and asked what brought him the success he had. He said, "My Father always told me I'll be successful someday". The same question was asked a prisoner and he had this to say, "My Father had always told me I'll one day end in prison and here I am - in the prison".

This certainly is no reason to blame the system or anyone for the failures in your life. It's crucial you that you also take responsibility for the things you listen and act upon.

The potency of negative statements is felt when it gets to your heart; outside which it has no power. Immunize your heart.

Your today may have been defined by the sounds of terror and failures of your yesterday but your tomorrow shouldn't be the same. Choose today to shape tomorrow by the sounds you listen to today.

Our environment is full of sounds, some can be done away with while others are crucial and need the attention it deserves. Never place equal value on every one of them.

IN SUMMARY

• Make sure to avoid sounds that cause you stress to your body and mind

• Sounds can transport you to either bad or good memories. Be cautious of what sound you listen to; especially those within your control.

• Pay attention to what you say and how you say them. If what you say is not helpful, then it is stressful. There are no neutral sounds.
• Whatever you are and what you may become is a result of the things you heard and you will hear. So don't pay attention to everything. Know what is beneficial and cling to it.

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I'm sure you found this information exciting and educative.
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