Sitting on my back deck here in Marquette on a beautiful summer afternoon, I couldn’t help but notice all of the noise. So I decided to make a log of everything I could hear while I just sat and listened.

To my surprise, I wrote constantly for the next thirty minutes and nearly filled an entire eighty-sheet college-ruled notebook. For example: Lawn mower—east; birds singing—north; car driving—west; truck driving—south; wind blowing—above; birds still singing—north; car driving—west; wind blowing—above, east and west; birds still singing—north; loud car driving—west; crows cawing—east; sustained gentle breeze—north, above, and east; loud car radio—east; dog barking—east; car driving—west; robin singing—north; leaf blower—south; car—west; dog barking—east; man talking—west, scooter going by—west; strong breeze above, then to the east; loud car—south to east.

Now if you take away the man-made noises from the log sample above, you’re left with someone sitting outside listening to the glorious sounds of nature, which studies indicate help you relax, be more willing to help others, score better on tests, and sleep well, as opposed to the increased blood pressure and other negative health impacts of noise pollution.(1) Additionally, as silence expert Gordon Hempton explains that research on children who have attention-deficit disorder shows experiencing quiet in nature can be as effective for them as medication.(2)

Couple this with the many benefits of physical activity and you get the super-boost of silent sports!

In the Upper Peninsula, we’re fortunate to have loads of non-motorized sport choices, such as cycling, windsurfing, kiteboarding, kayaking, paddle boarding, running, hiking, swimming, and fly, stream, and shore fishing.

These sports don’t add to the constant barrage of noise pollution we humans create, and are a great way to be active in our natural habitat. Plus, they cause far less degradation to the environment than motorized sports.

As Associate Professors Robert Fletcher and Crelis Rammelt describe, “Sustainable development is an oxymoron that carries inescapable negative environmental impacts.”(3) Eco-conscious land use must be on the agenda for municipalities, counties and state authorities if we and those who come after us are to enjoy healthy, pleasurable lives. Silent sports are a step in the right direction, and the UP has many clubs and organizations that can help you participate in them.

For example, Upper Peninsula Rowing of Marquette welcomes new members and provides most of the equipment needed to become a rower. Copper Country Cycling Club organizes separate beginner and intermediate/advanced rides, as well as UP and nationwide weekend and spring break trips, plus collegiate mountain bike and casual races, helping to keep participation both safe and fun. Come winter, you can enjoy the camaraderie of cross country skiing clubs in many part of the UP.

But whether you dash or stroll through our beautiful land or water, I invite you to open to the bounty offered by the sounds of nature.

Kevin McGrath can be found enjoying the peaceful sounds of nature while hiking, swimming, kayaking, or just being among planet earth’s greatest gifts to us.

(1) ”Quiet Please,” Leslee Goodman, September 2010 issue, The Sun

(2) Ibid.

(3) Fletcher, R., and Rammelt, C. (2017). Decoupling: a key fantasy of the post-2015 sustainable development agenda. Globalizations 14, 450–467. doi: 10.1080/14747731.2016.1263077

Excerpt from the Fall 2023 issue of Health & Happiness U.P. Magazine, copyright 2023, Empowering Lightworks, LLC. All rights reserved.