The role of quiet
- by Guest Contributor
- January 29, 2024
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By the PA Parks and Forests Foundation
Read the original post on their website here
The Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation (PPFF) set out to learn about the health and experience of a quiet environment. “The Role of Quiet” video explores the science of how sounds affect us, the benefits to our mental health, and tips for making the most out of visits submerged in nature.
In the video, Peter Newman, Pennsylvania State University Martin Professor and Head of Recreation, Parks and Tourism Management talks about his findings as he researched and conducted studies, looking at sounds from people, wildlife, and daily life sounds from phones, vehicles, and surrounding agriculture.
“If [being exposed to stress] happens too frequently or for too long, we can start to become exhausted. And that is where we can benefit from active attempts to find relaxation or recovery,” said Joshua Smyth, Professor of Biobehavioral Health at the Pennsylvania State University. “Moments in nature, serenity, calm — all those things shift us back towards relaxation and restoration.”
Luckily, in Pennsylvania, there are 124 state parks and 2.2 million acres of public land across 20 forest districts that everyone can assess when seeking out places to benefit from time spent in nature. Seth Cassell, Director of the Bureau of Forestry for the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources states, “some of the best places in Pennsylvania to enjoy quiet areas are in our state forest systems.” He goes on to talk about noticing the absolute silence when exploring the Tiadaghton State Forest in the Pine Creek Valley and PA Grand Canyon landscape of the PA Wilds region as a youth with his father and how it felt like he could hear the passage of time.
Additionally, the video goes on to talk about ways you can help reduce noise for everyone’s benefit. These tips will help enhance yours and others experience in the outdoors.
To learn more and to watch “The Role of Quiet,” visit PPFF’s YouTube channel at YouTube.com/PAParksAndForests.
For more information on the outdoors and your health, sign-up for free weekly updates, inclusive outdoors for all, conservation and volunteer efforts, or helping support PPFF’s mission, visit PAParksAndForests.org.
About the Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation
The Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation supports 124 state parks and 2.2 million acres of forest by coordinating volunteers, activities, and donations through its 45+ chapters. The mission of the foundation is to inspire stewardship of Pennsylvania’s state parks and forests. To learn more about PPFF, visit https://paparksandforests.org/.
