Some of us (if we're lucky) find time for a relaxation session during a normal week, whether it be yoga, meditation or other forms of creative down time.  But too many of us go without that basic structure, and too few take care to include some basic building blocks of relaxation to de-stress routinely.

With all kinds of noise becoming more and more a part of modern life, silence is one of those sought-after qualities.  Cell phones, PDA devices, and other computerized gear are producing more squawk-time.  Busy offices and busy commutes make for a life in the middle of near-constant noise.  And even in a home, the proliferation of television, phones and other decibel-producing devices makes it harder and harder to get a little peace and quiet.

What people have to realize is that silence, like REM sleep or other necessities, is key to dealing with stress, exhaustion and other negatives that the snowed-under often feel when dealing with a hectic daily routine.  

So if you're constantly in the middle of a beeping, ringing, yelling digital media frenzy, what can you do?  Well, start by turning off the offending appliances.  Nowadays, with the auto shutoff features of new TVs and other devices, manufacturers are even helping out a little.  Part of getting these annoying noise producers silenced, however, is in dealing with the people who seem to need to have them constantly turned on.  Establish a "no-noise" hour in a home or office, or set up some other kind of compromise, but don't settle for 24/7 screen time.

Another option for those under attack from noise is headphones.  That's right, if you can't turn sounds off, keep them out of your ears.  Earplugs can be a great way to get some needed silence (and shut-eye), but for those who don't like the normal intrusive earplug models, there's another option: other "earplug" devices come in a "headphone" form.   Simply slip them on and listen to the noises around you being replaced by, well, silence.

Creative use of down time is another form of promoting silence in your life.  Identify times when you find yourself waiting for things (in front of a computer, or in lines, for example) and use that time to center yourself quietly.  

It can also help to develop your inner silence with calm, controlled and deliberate changes in how you communicate with yourself.  Mantras help to establish this.  Silence starts with blocking what's outside, but it includes changing what is inside.  Many of us have developed stressful ways of talking to ourselves as a mechanism for dealing with the demands of everyday life.  Using a personal slogan or controlling your inner thought process gives you the upper hand.

There are other formulas that experts have come up with for this form of self-communication.  One is called RAW and breaks down like this: your body is Relaxed, your mind is Alert, and your spirit is Waiting or Watchful.  Think about how these three elements would inform a "mental posture" that can help you become centered and intent in your times of meditation and silence.

Along with developing these steps toward inner balance, experts often recommend finding activities that you enjoy to help de-stress.  Many also say it's usually good to develop a connection with nature.  One common premise is that getting into some kind of quiet, natural environment does two or three things at once.  It gets stressful human interactions out of the picture, gives access to natural air quality, and calms down those who are oriented toward interaction with a biological world that they may be, against their better judgment, a little estranged from regularly.

Another option is to combine workouts and relaxation, using tools like a balance cushion, yoga aids or pilates gear to combine calming down time with useful muscle conditioning, to keep your body in good shape longer for a better agility and health later in life.

This is just the start of creating more balance, but as you renovate a daily routine that has you feeling burned out, take time to appreciate the sounds of silence.