As a drum circle facilitator and musican I can appreciate there is a time and place for rhythmic music-making in contrast to quietness. If the volume of daily noise is disruptive, this becomes a concern and Feng Shui categorizes the experience as ‘sha energy’ (life draining energy). According to The World Health Organization (WHO), noise pollution creates stress related illnesses, high blood pressure, anxiety, hearing loss, sleep disruption, and reduced cognitive function. Noise above 65 (dB) transform into harmful frequencies.

Some of the biggest culprits of noise pollution range from 70 - 120 dB’s include:

• Traffic - honking horns, racing cars and motorcycles in residential streets

• Lawnmowers and leaf blowers

• Trains, locomotives and their horns, and subways

• Aircrafts of varying sizes and models - including helicopters

• Prolong indoor (apartment/condo living) and outdoor house parties and music bands

• New construction and street paving

• Fire works

According to NASA and Science Direct, when most of the world went into a lockdown between March and April 2020, air and noise pollution from daily human activity dropped to healthy levels. COVID was horrible, no question about that. Yet, it provided a post awakening to better sensibility and awareness toward our environmental surroundings. Today, more and more local and global communities are taking action to address noise pollution when able to. However, these changes require the entire COMMUNITY to collectively work together - residential, commercial, transportation departments, local governments, etc.

What can be done to address noise pollution from a Feng Shui perspective? Be proactive, practical and creative.

• Install sound proof windows. However, this can be very expensive and the hope would be if a developer knows they are building in a noise polluted area this would already be taken into consideration

• Install black out curtains within rooms that need quieter environments

• If you sleep with windows open, you could mitigate the negative sound decibels with a white noise sound machine or small fan. Any of these possible ideas may not be your first choice, but it gives you a sense of control which can help reduce anxiety

• Use noise canceling headphones

• Inquire with your local government, town, village or city about their noise ordinance law and ask for support in enforcing it when appropriate

• If no noise ordinance law exists, perhaps advocate for one within your local community

• Intentionally give yourself a break from being overstimulated - i.e. constantly looking at your phone, surfing the web, watching TV, etc. Unplug. Visit locations that provide quiets spaces (maybe an outdoor garden, state park, etc)

• You can take action yourself with being spatially conscious of the noise your home produces. Is your dog barking outside for long periods of time? Is it time to turn in after throwing a house party? In other words, be considerate and use common sense. Embrace empathy vs only thinking about yourself

• Plant more trees. Trees are a natural buffer to sound.

It’s understood we occupy a world that is full of activity. While at the same time, it’s understood we ALL need moments of rest and pause to establish harmony. This is not just for humans, it’s for nature as well.