“Speech fasting”… What happens when you remain silent until midday?

England – A Scottish singer named “Lulu” revealed that she practices “speech fasting,” that is, remaining completely silent until midday.

The 75-year-old singer told the British newspaper The Guardian that she follows this practice in an attempt to preserve her vocal cords, explaining that it helps take care of her instruments and allows her to sing.

According to the article published by the newspaper, Lulu “is not even allowed to whisper” because she “lives in a state of long silence.”

While “speech fasting” may seem strange, The Guardian confirms that it has many benefits that are not necessarily related to simply maintaining the voice.

A 2005 study published by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) found that periods of silence led to a “significant reduction in blood pressure” in participants who practiced speech fasting.

Meanwhile, a 2021 study, which also appeared in the National Institutes of Health, found that the practice helped reduce cortisol (stress hormone) levels.

In addition, psychologist Dr. Robert Kraft has confirmed that engaging in long periods of silence helps a person become a better listener.

But there may be some downsides to speech fasting, other than the obvious fact that you won’t be able to communicate your needs clearly and quickly.

And those who talk less are seen as less impressive, according to research published in 2022, despite Kraft’s claim that silence enhances the ability to listen.

Although it may be impractical to remain silent every morning, there can be some benefits to engaging in this practice on an infrequent basis.

The Guardian newspaper confirms that speech fasting is not just a new fad for celebrities, but has been practiced under different names and in different cultures for centuries.

In Hindu philosophy, for example, the practice of silence, known as mauna, is believed to connect individuals to their inner stillness.

Source: New York Post