Relaxation procedures reduce noise stress

Help with noise stress: avoid noise and relax

30/04/2014

Noise is everywhere, but damaging is usually not the loud noise, as it arises during construction. As experts say, it is road traffic that can make you sick in the long term. People who are constantly surrounded by such sound sources should therefore protect themselves from it. Relaxation techniques like yoga or autogenic training can help.

Noise is everywhere
Even though noise is everywhere, it's usually not the loud noise that comes from construction that is harmful. Experts say that it is road traffic that can make you sick in the long term. Those who are constantly surrounded by such sound sources should therefore protect themselves from it. For many people, absolute silence can only be experienced with the help of earplugs. Almost always a mobile phone rings or music is playing. In addition, the hum of never-ending road traffic settles above all this in many places. In the long term, this noise can make you sick. The action „Day against noise“ wants to draw attention to the consequences of such permanent noise pollution on April 30, reports the news agency dpa.

Noise can be hazardous to health
Thomas Myck, Head of the Department of Noise Reduction at the Federal Environment Agency (UBA) in Dessau-Roßlau warned in this connection: „Noise can cause high blood pressure and, as a result, cause heart attacks and strokes.“ In recent years, several studies have already pointed out that constant noise can have a health-damaging effect. Researchers at the Danish Cancer Society, for example, have discovered that the risk of stroke increases when people are exposed to constant noise. Already a continuous level, which is as loud as a normal conversation, is problematic. „Then the body releases the stress hormones norepinephrine and cortisol. This in turn leads to increased blood pressure in the long run“, so myck.

More than half of Germans are harassed by street noise
Although the sound does not necessarily lead to physical illnesses, but it can add to the psyche. Concentration problems, irritability, inner restlessness or nervousness can be the result. Germans feel especially traffic noise as very disturbing. More than half of them feel bothered by street noise, according to a UBA survey. And around one fifth of respondents are bothered by rail noise. As Michael Jäcker-Cüppers, chairman of the work ring noise (ALD) of the German society for acoustics (Dega), which the „Day against noise“ in Germany, explained that the problem with street noise is that it is omnipresent. While trains do not make constant noise, they can reach the volume of a jackhammer when they thunder past and someone is standing near the track or lives.

Treat yourself to rest breaks often
Jäcker-Cüppers therefore advises those who live on a busy street or on a railway line that they should choose the bedroom to the backyard. If this is not possible, then residents should sleep with the windows closed. „Because the traffic noise affects us even at night. Sleep is then less restful, in the long term health damage is the result“, so the expert. Residents in noisy surroundings should also take more rest breaks, for example by taking regular breaks in quiet surroundings. Unfortunately, escape is not always possible for everyone. Therefore, the stress hormones released by noise in the body somehow have to be degraded differently. Sport or relaxation is one of the options.

Yoga and autogenic training against stress
Björn Husmann from the German Society for Relaxation Procedures (DG-E) explained: „Yoga and autogenic training as well as other relaxation procedures can help to reduce the high stress level, for example with continuous noise.“ To learn to meet stress calm, yoga is generally good. „Basically, some exercises give the body a bit of pain and then learn how to meditate“, Husmann. For example, an exercise for beginners might be to touch their toes with their hands outstretched. „Now, as you consciously breathe in the stretch to relax, you also learn to accept unpleasant aspects such as stretching pain internally. That can then be transferred to noise“, explained the graduate psychologist. He suggests, however, that relaxation techniques such as autogenic training should be practiced before acute periods of stress, because then they are the most effective. „Anyone who regularly does yoga or autogenic training does not allow disturbing noises to get so close to them.“ (Sb)

Source: Bernd Wachtmeister