The Surprising Power of Silence & How to Overcome Your Cravings - SYSK Choice
Mar 22, 2025
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Leigh Marz, a consultant and co-author of 'Golden: The Power of Silence in a World of Noise,' explores the profound benefits of silence in our noisy lives. She argues that silence can enhance mental health and foster deeper connections. Meanwhile, Dr. Amy Shah, a medical expert and author of 'I’m So Effing Hungry,' discusses the science of cravings, revealing how they differ from genuine hunger. She shares practical strategies to manage these desires, helping listeners regain control over their eating habits. Silence and cravings—two powerful forces we can learn to master!
Delaying decisions until feeling the urge to use the bathroom can enhance self-control and improve decision-making clarity.
Experiencing silence amidst constant noise can significantly boost creativity and mental clarity, countering its negative effects on health and mood.
Deep dives
The Science of Decision Making and Bladder Control
Making decisions can be improved by simply delaying until one feels the need to use the restroom. Research indicates that when individuals have a full bladder, they can better exercise self-control in making choices. The theory is that the need to manage bodily functions enhances focus and reduces indecision, leading to a more streamlined thought process. Thus, the urgency of finding a bathroom can sharpen a person's decision-making abilities, enabling them to think more clearly and avoid distractions.
The Power of Silence in a Noisy World
Silence has profound benefits, yet it is becoming increasingly rare in our loud, modern environment. Studies indicate that rising noise levels, exemplified by emergency sirens that have increased in volume over the past century, have detrimental effects on health, mood, and cognitive function. Leigh Mars, an expert on silence, emphasizes the psychological and physiological advantages of quiet spaces, which can enhance creativity and problem-solving. Experiencing true silence can foster a sense of calm and clarity, essential in a society saturated with auditory distractions.
Unexpected Coverage in Insurance Policies
Homeowners and renters might be surprised to discover the extent of coverage included in their insurance policies. Beyond just protecting the physical structure, these policies can cover losses from fraud, such as counterfeit currency or forged checks, as well as certain liabilities like libel lawsuits. Additionally, personal items stolen from vehicles may also be covered under homeowner's or renter's insurance. It’s advised to thoroughly read the fine print of policies to uncover unexpected protections and ensure maximum benefit.
Understanding and Managing Food Cravings
Cravings are distinct from regular hunger and can drive specific desires for certain foods like sweets or salty snacks. They are linked to the brain's dopamine pathways, which are stimulated by pleasurable experiences, leading to a cycle of reinforcement that makes resisting these cravings difficult. Strategies to manage cravings include eating a balanced diet rich in protein, fiber, and nutrients, which can help signal fullness and satisfaction to the brain. Additionally, environmental factors like sunlight exposure can activate hormones that also help alleviate cravings, making it essential to understand and adapt cravings proactively.
We live in a noisy world which is only getting noisier. Not only is there noise coming at you from the outside but also from inside your own head. All that noise can’t be good. What’s the solution? Simple silence! That’s according to Leigh Marz, a consultant and coach who is coauthor of a book called Golden: The Power of Silence in a World of Noise (https://amzn.to/3yKi203). Listen as Leigh reveals the negative effects of noise that are often hard to notice. She also has some great advice to help you turn down the volume on noise and enjoy the benefits that silence has to offer.
Where do cravings come from? Why do we get them? Can you stop them? Should you ever give in to them? Here to discuss the science of cravings and how best to handle them is Amy Shah, MD. She is a board-certified medical doctor, having trained at Cornell, Columbia, and Harvard Universities. She is the author of the book I’m So Effing Hungry: Why We Crave What We Crave – and What to Do About It (https://amzn.to/3JCOHL8)
It would seem sensible that your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy covers things related to your home. And it does. However, you might be surprised to learn what else it also covers including things that are unrelated to your home. Listen as I explain some of those likely benefits. http://consumerist.com/2012/04/12/stuck-with-a-forged-check-homeowners-insurance-to-the-rescue