Maybe getting the silent treatment at home isn't a bad thing after all.
With the constant barrage of leaf blowers, lawn mowers and loud appliances swirling around us, it's no wonder "I need some peace and quiet!" has become such a popular plea. If your neighbor decides to fire up the chainsaw Sunday morning while you're sipping coffee and enjoying the newspaper, chalk up another frazzled nerve. And scientists and health officials aren't just dismissing noise at home as a nuisance; they're taking the issue seriously.
The noise inside your home will never rival that of the outside world. However, it should be a sanctuary from the clatter and commotion of our environment. With simple solutions to reducing indoor noise, you can turn a hurly-burly home into a healthy, happy one.
Sure, we have all heard there's too much fat in our diet. Well, maybe there's too much noise in our diets, too. Now, you can't eat noise like pint of Haagen-Daz, but you sure can feel it, and the end result can be more stress and frustration.
A 2004 study that appeared in the Journal of Applied Social Psychology, concluded that women were more vulnerable to snacking and overeating than men when exposed to loud noise. Researchers found that women exposed to loud noise were more likely than men to indulge in common junk foods like popcorn, potato chips and chocolate.
The study took three groups of men and women, asking them to complete common math problems while exposing them to alternating levels of noise. The third control group wasn't exposed to any noise during their problem-solving tasks.
Between sessions, the study participants were left alone in a room with several types of bland, high-fat food. The study showed that women who gave up and were discouraged by the assigned tasks ate significantly more than the women who were not frustrated.
While men's performance was also altered during the study, the research showed that the affects from noise lingered longer in women. The researchers concluded that the impact from a noisy environment and lack of control over that environment can manifest itself as stress in women and may lead them to overindulging in fatty foods.
Not surprisingly, the issue of noise not only leads to stress in adults, but can leave a significant imprint on a child's ability to learn.
A recent German study showed that children exposed to loud noises learned to read more slowly. It also concluded that being subjected to loud surroundings had an impact on motivation, long-term memory and speech acquisition.
"This study ...nails down that it is almost certain that noise is causing the difference in children's ability to learn and read," says environmental stress researcher Gary Evans, a PhD from Cornell University and the lead researcher on the study. Evans has also discovered that blood pressure and levels of stress hormones were higher in children subjected to a noisy environment.
Silence can also be golden during the golden years.
For seniors, constant exposure to noise may increase the risk of heart attack. Studies have shown that, much like women's eating habits were altered by stress-inducing noise, that consistent exposure to noise leads to increased blood pressure. This change, along with changes in cholesterol, can lead to heart disease.
Certainly, noise-related health issues shouldn't lead you to hide out in a soundproof room the rest of your life, but having peace, and piece of mind at home can go a long way in reducing stress.
More homes are looking like the local audio-video store, with high-definition TVs, surround-sound systems and booming video games. This is in addition to the old standbys: barking dogs and screaming kids.
Basically, sound needs someplace to go. The way to quiet things down may seem strange, but it's a solution that is pure science. Absorbing sound is one way to turn down the volume in your house, and the best place to start is your floors.
Area rugs and carpet serve as sound insulators. With builders reshaping homes to combine big spaces, like the popular great room, noise levels have gone up. Rugs and carpet reduce the sound that bounces off walls and floors. Homes with hard surfaces like tile and wood floors - where carpeting isn't used - really benefit from the use of area rugs. Not only do area rugs help soak up noise, they also provide a form of insulation when used beneath tables and chairs. Because hardwood floors tend to amplify sound the most, using a pad under an area rug is also beneficial.
Most flooring bounces sound around like a rubber ball, but cork flooring is actually a noise-reducing product. The material can also be used as an "underlayment" for laminate and hardwood floors.
Other noise-reducing household tricks include using slipcovers, pillows and drapes instead of blinds. Small spaces around doors and windows can also let unwanted sound in. Close them up with weather stripping.
Shelves with books, valances and even potted plants can help. And sound machines can add a bit of tranquility throughout the house while helping drown out the police helicopter or the takeoff of that Gulfstream jet.
The kitchen can benefit as well, with throw rugs, wood cabinets and stone tables, all sound absorbers.
Noise is something we all have to live with. But it doesn't mean we have to like it or are powerless to do anything. A theologian once said: "There is a close connection between tranquility and sanity." And what better way to practice that philosophy then by starting at home.
Based in Los Angeles, Ron Neal is a free-lance writer, editor and owner of Writemind Media. With more than 20 years of experience, including six at the Los Angeles Times, Mr. Neal has produced and edited hundreds of articles on a variety of subjects, including flooring, home improvement and area rugs of all kinds, including Oriental rugs.
![]() |
|
![]() |
|
![]() |
|
![]() |
This story was told to me by a plumber I... Read More
Start out by measuring and cutting all your stock according... Read More
The proper lighting in a room can make or break... Read More
Tax season is over...The spring holidays have passed... Hopefully by... Read More
One of the first steps in building a log home... Read More
Been shopping for antique clocks lately?It's strange that when something... Read More
Basements or cellars (depending on which part of the country... Read More
Transforming your home's basement into a finished space can prove... Read More
Power tools are one of the greatest conveniences for getting... Read More
Some people will dream of the perfect patio. They dream... Read More
What is Concrete Cutting?Concrete cutting is a process of controlled... Read More
It is important to be a very careful consumer when... Read More
Triple scented, heavily scented, strongly scented - these are all... Read More
Trying to decide which home improvement project to tackle next?... Read More
It seems like about three million of you have asked... Read More
It turns out your mother was right after all --... Read More
If the decision of what type radiant heating system to... Read More
When it comes to home water filters and water purifiers,... Read More
Choosing a color scheme for a room can be a... Read More
A honed finish is a satin surface with relatively little... Read More
Double glazing reduces heat loss through your windows. You can... Read More
1. What experience does your contractor have with this type... Read More
Steel is a remarkable material that has been steadily increasing... Read More
Hardwood flooring has a timeless air of qualityHardwood floors have... Read More
There are at least two dozen brand names marketing dehumidifiers.... Read More
BE PREPARED -- Building a house is lots of fun,... Read More
Hardwood flooring - its' traditional look is almost timeless, its'... Read More
Leather is the most durable fabric used for furniture today.... Read More
While there is great value in installing custom-made interior wood... Read More
Many do-it-yourselfers pride themselves in their handiwork, you can just... Read More
The 2005 hurricane season is right around the corner and... Read More
When you are choosing a new ceiling fan there are... Read More
Preparing a deck design for your backyard is all the... Read More
Remodeling PlansMaking remodeling plans for a house helps you to... Read More
When you have reached the decision to purchase new windows... Read More
The California asphalt paving industry is ever-changing and in order... Read More
Choosing a color scheme can be a nerve-wracking business. For... Read More
One of the most rewarding home improvements I made to... Read More
It is important to prepare a budget for your kitchen... Read More
Home inspections conducted prior to a home being placed on... Read More
They're affordable and come in a wide variety of styles... Read More
Homeowners are getting high-tech when it comes to controlling the... Read More
These days shower doors come in a wide variety of... Read More
Is your bathroom looking cluttered? How about fitting new bathroom... Read More
It doesn't matter if you live in a hot climate... Read More
Your daily beauty sleep will not be complete if any... Read More
A miter saw, also known as a "chop saw," is... Read More
This time of year often sees an explosion in new... Read More
Probably the most intimidating part of building your own house... Read More
Bathroom remodeling is often a popular home improvement project for... Read More
Want to improve the look of your property? Want to... Read More
Power washing is the application of high pressure water spray.... Read More
Purchasing a hot tub is a big investment and one... Read More
While you are cleaning leaves out of your home's gutters,... Read More
Have you ever thought about fixing a broken window in... Read More
The design of your office and home has a great... Read More
Purchasing an air purifier can be confusing, and you do... Read More
Ceramic tile can be beautiful and elegant. But it can... Read More
In bathroom terms at least, bigger doesn't have to be... Read More
Any remodeling idea for a small kitchen must address the... Read More
I recently visited friends who served me a dinner of... Read More
Ready to start your first serious DIY project? Read through... Read More
Let's talk about repairing broken glass in an aluminum frame... Read More
Would you like to add a personal touch to your... Read More
Some of the benefits of radiant heatComfort: Let your bare... Read More
The starting current of motor can become 3 to 6... Read More
Home Improvement |