Living in the city, such as myself, can be very noisy! The constant sounds of cars, construction and other many random noises can be over-whelming to say the least. From stress to serenity, here are some facts and tips for you to create peace and quiet.

Noise hurts- noise is a health issue affecting more than just hearing:

* Heart- noise is linked to high blood pressure, higher heart rate, and constricted blood vessels.

* Stress- sudden noises may increase cortisol levels and bring on feelings of anxiety.

* Sleep- high noise areas are associated with headaches, tenseness, and edginess. Sleep disturbances due to noise has an effect on mood and consequently, heart disease.

* Immunity- constant noise has shown an affect on immune function and strength making illnesses more easily contracted.

* Learning- noise has shown to impair reading, long-term memory, decline in coping skills, and reduction in motivation.

* Mental health- noise can lead to psychological problems such as, depression, nervousness, anger and fear.

Indoor places of silence:

* Art galleries
* Museums
* Places of worship
* Libraries
* Spas
* Yoga or Tai Chi studios
* Hypnosis

Outdoor places of tranquility:

* Snowshoeing, ski resorts
* Japanese garden
* Chinese garden
* Parks
* Seashore
* After snowfall
* Your own backyard

Meditation- beneficial to include daily practices of meditation to create peace. There are many health benefits including:

* decrease psychological distress
* increased vitality
* decrease body pain
* improvement in reaction and focus
* decrease in stress hormone, adrenaline and cortisol
* overall enhancement of quality of life

Although you may not be able to eliminate all noise, you can learn to create tranquility in your own life to better deal with stress. Make time and space to enjoy peace and quiet and you will greatly enhance your quality of life.