Finding Focus and Calm in a Noisy World

Finding Focus and Calm in a Noisy World
Photo by Nandhu Kumar: https://www.pexels.com/photo/black-stackable-stone-decor-at-the-body-of-water-312839/

The world is moving more quickly than it ever has before. Everywhere we look there is an influx of information, both positive and negative. We are bombarded with advertisements, appeals, news of conflicts, protests, illnesses, unrest, music, games, traffic, work, family commitments, and on and on. Those alive now are busier than our ancestors ever were, and there are many more responsibilities placed upon us.

Yes, it is often a luxury to live in such a noisy and connected world, where almost everything we could wish for sits at our fingertips or at the end of a search bar, but it can also be incredibly overwhelming. With this in mind, we have compiled a list of some things you can do to ground yourself in the chaos, and find focus and calm when the world seems the opposite.

Playing Games

One of the greatest ways to induce a sense of calm in a noisy world is to allow ourselves to engage in recreational activity, and one of the simplest yet most effective ways to do this is through gaming. Games have been proven to have a positive effect on our cognition, improving memory and focus, but they can also improve our mood. 

Games of all varieties can be useful for this. Whether you’re looking for a simple yet cozy game like Animal Crossing or Stardew Valley, or something a little more exciting, such as Dragon Age or the new Silent Hill 2 remake. 

For those who don’t own or want a console, there are also countless games available and accessible on mobile devices. Check out the different categories on your phone’s app store to find what works for you. Alternatively, gambling fanatics can find countless websites that give players access to a casino without registration, making playing huge libraries of games, and enjoying countless bonuses, easier than ever before.

Get out in nature

The world moves quickly. Urban environments often seem like places of noise, concrete, hustle, and bustle. Though the high street has its uses, it’s also beneficial to get away from it all. Simply taking a walk through your local park, or adventuring out to a much more rural environment can do wonders for the body and mind.

We all know that breathing outside clean air is good for us, but very few of us know how harmful indoor or urban air can actually be. Getting out in nature is a great way to clear out the airways and improve mental clarity. Of course, it is not always possible to get outside, but there are many ways you can invite the outside air into your own home.

When walking through nature, why not practice mindfulness? Become fully aware of where you are and what is around you. What can you see, hear, and smell? What can you feel? Notice your breathing and try to slow it down. Every time your mind wanders to whatever anxieties are plaguing you at the minute, gently guide your thoughts back to the present moment.

Get Creative to Find Focus and Calm in a Noisy World

Though medicine, engineering, law, and politics are all noble pursuits, it is our creativity that really makes us human. Remember, you don’t have to be an expert to create something, you just have to start. Why not take up drawing? Grab a sketchbook and try to imitate what you see. Alternatively, you could sign up for a beginner’s drawing course or purchase a guidebook to help you.

Or, if you’re looking for something with a little more color, why not try painting? You don’t have to jump straight into your masterpiece, but can instead fill in some painting colouring books or even relax with some color by numbers. Yep, these are not just for kids.

Writing has also been proven to aid our mental and emotional well-being. Whether you want to write about yourself and your experiences in a diary format, or whether you want to try your hand at poetry or prose writing. When writing, no matter what it is, the world has a habit of slipping away and a sense of calm often rolls in.

Or why not try your hand at learning a new instrument? Many studies have been conducted that address the benefits of learning an instrument, and many were discovered. Not only can this hobby improve personal discipline and leave you with a very impressive talent but it has also been proven to reduce stress and improve memory.