ಮೌನದ ಮಹತ್ತ್ವ! ವಾರಕ್ಕೊಮ್ಮೆ ಆದ್ರೂ ಮೌನವಾಗಿರಬೇಕು! ಯಾಕಂದ್ರೆ!|Importance of Silence|Dr Malini Suttur
In a world of constant noise, we often underestimate the quiet power of silence. In this special episode of Family Doctor on Gaurish Akki Studio, host Gaurish Akki sits down with Dr. Malini S. Suttur, Chairperson of Genetics and Genomics at Mysore University, to explore the ancient practice of Mouna Vrata (vow of silence) through a modern scientific lens.
Dr. Malini explains that silence is far more than the absence of speech. True silence is intentional stillness, a space where we turn inward and allow the mind and body to heal. Indian traditions like Mouna Vrata, often misunderstood today, are deeply rooted in science and self-awareness.
Here’s what silence does to your body and brain:
Reduces stress hormones like cortisol
Lowers inflammation-causing cytokines
Activates healing, improves digestion and sleep
Enhances brain functions like focus, memory, and emotional balance
Boosts neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine, and oxytocin
Encourages neuroplasticity and neurogenesis
Silence also supports the parasympathetic nervous system—the body’s rest and recovery mode. Even practicing silence for a few hours weekly can bring noticeable changes in physical, emotional, and mental health.
Dr. Malini also warns against confusing silence with distractions like scrolling through your phone or watching TV. True silence requires solitude, reflection, and sometimes fasting, which animals in the wild instinctively follow for self-healing.
As we grapple with rising anxiety, relationship breakdowns, and stress-related illnesses, the solution might be simpler than we think—pause, breathe, and be silent.
Whether it’s for an hour a day, a day a month, or simply by reducing unnecessary speech, embracing silence can change how we live and relate to ourselves and others.
This isn’t about renouncing the world—it’s about reclaiming our inner peace. In silence, we don’t lose our voice—we find it.