The New Quiet Luxury? Actual Quiet

Anyone residing in bustling cities like New York understands that silence is a rare and valuable resource. As a seasoned New Yorker, I have my personal sanctuaries to escape the overwhelming noise: The New York Earth Room at Dia in Soho, showcasing Walter de Maria’s unique interior installation of 250 cubic yards of dirt; the vine-covered pergola with views of the Hudson River at Wave Hill; the tranquil mornings in the far reaches of Brooklyn’s Greenwood Cemetery; the peaceful reading room atop Jefferson Market Library; and St. Paul’s, a solemn Catholic church at Congress and Court Streets, just a stone’s throw from my neighborhood.

Conversing on the platform of the 6 train at Union Square can be daunting. The piercing screeches of incoming trains routinely elevate noise levels; last year, readings there reached around 107 decibels. (For reference, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health states that exposure to levels above 100 dBA for more than 15 minutes daily can up the likelihood of hearing loss.) Yet whether it’s the screech of the subway, the clamor of construction, or the relentless hum of traffic, we’ve become alarmingly accustomed to noise in our lives. While we may appear resistant, we frequently overlook the effects of sound on our mental and physical health—how it intensifies anxiety, contributes to sleep disorders, and may even affect cardiovascular health, as well as impair our memory and focus.

The Environmental Protection Agency recognized the hazards of noise pollution as far back as 1972 with the passage of the Noise Control Act, which deemed it a “growing threat to the health and well-being of the nation’s populace, predominantly in urban settings.” However, the agency has not taken substantial action in the decades since that legislation (in fact, the advocacy group Quiet Communities filed a lawsuit against them in 2023 due to this inaction), and the Trump administration is unlikely to address these issues, especially after the agency discreetly relaxed Clean Air regulations that allowed companies to bypass limits on harmful emissions.

The restorative nature of sound

However, while sound can exacerbate various health conflicts, intentionally utilizing it can also alleviate such problems. Therapeutic sound practices go beyond merely enjoying calm melodies; they involve cultivating a designated sonic environment where, under expert guidance, brainwaves can shift from an active beta state to a more reflective and serene alpha and possibly theta state. “From a physics perspective, everything is vibrational—including us—and as we delve into the effects of sound within this vibrational experience, it becomes simpler to grasp the notions of resonance and dissonance,” shares Nate Martinez, a sound therapy practitioner and corporate wellness advisor based in Brooklyn.

In essence, sound has the potential to counteract the negative impacts of noise. Martinez employs this vibrational essence through sound meditations, commonly referred to as sound baths, which utilize specific instruments like singing bowls to help participants transition their nervous systems from a stressed, sympathetic state to a calmer, parasympathetic state. This holistic approach, Martinez emphasizes, is not merely about playing various instruments for people reclining, but rather requires a knowledgeable guide to create the right setting and help participants use their breath as a tool.