Balance. Heal. Transform. © Copyright 2016 The Chopra Center at Omni La Costa Resort and Spa

Too Bright, Too Loud: Stop Sensory Overload and Relax Your Mind

We live in such an overstimulated world that we sometimes may not even notice how much we are bombarded with noise, information, music, bright lights, and other distractions. The world is vying for our attention, and all of the information entering us through our senses requires processing, which can cause us to go into a state of overdrive and imbalance. Over time, overstimulation creates toxicity in the mind-body system.

Thousands of years ago, the ancient yogic sages recognized the value of taking time to withdraw our senses from the world in order to hear our inner voice more clearly. The yoga practice known as pratyahara is the process of temporarily turning away from the world of intense, externally imposed stimulations so that we can tune into the subtle elements of sound, touch, sight, taste, and smell.

Pratyahara can be seen as sensory fasting. The word is comprised of the term “prati” meaning away, and “ahara “meaning food. If you don’t eat for a while, the next meal you take will usually taste exceptionally delicious. When your senses are withdrawn for a time you are able to tune in to the subtler tastes and smells. Yoga suggests that the same is true for all your experiences in the world.

There are many pratyahara practices that you can use. They can be elaborate as going on an extended retreat in a mountain cabin or as simple as setting up an altar or healing space where you can meditate each day and experience the gifts of inner quiet. If you take the time to withdraw from the world for a little while each day, you will find that your experiences are more vibrant and that you feel more alive.

You can make a conscious choice to reduce unnecessary stimulation and cultivate calm in your body and mind. This is particularly important as you prepare for the cleanse week because you want to create an environment that promotes detoxification and healing. Here are a few suggestions:

• Pay attention to how you feel when you spend time exposed to different forms of stimulation. If you find yourself feeling jangled after shopping at a mall or watching a violent movie, don’t engage in these experiences during the cleanse.

• Instead of leaving yourself at the mercy of your electronic devices, take steps to control their interruptions. For example, turn off your automatic email alert and the ringer on your phone, and set up regular times to check your messages instead. During the cleanse, consider an electronic fast. If at all possible, take a few days to stop checking email, browsing the Internet, and engaging in social media. If a complete fast is not an option for you, limit your use as much as you can. Start to notice at what times you automatically pick up your phone or unconsciously begin scrolling through social media feeds. Dr. Patel recommends setting a “no electronics after 7 pm” rule for yourself as well.

Balance. Heal. Transform. © Copyright 2016 The Chopra Center at Omni La Costa Resort and Spa

• Limit how much time you spend watching the news. Sensationalistic stories, graphic images, and blaring headlines can drain your energy and fill you with anxiety, so be selective about the kind of information you’re taking in from the media. During the cleanse, we suggest you take a week-long news fast.

• Time pressure is a major source of overstimulation, so leave plenty of space in your schedule between appointments, get-togethers, and due dates. Start right now by taking out your calendar for the week and noticing where you are overbooked and need to add space. If you need to reschedule an appointment to create more ease in your life, do it! Remember that most of the world’s greatest innovations and discoveries didn’t happen when someone was rushing to an appointment, feeling burned out, or sitting in a long meeting—they came about in moments of peace and relaxation. Give yourself the gift of space and miracles will unfold.

Consider your environment at home, work, and anywhere you regularly spend time and take steps to eliminate unnecessary stimulation. This will help you deepen your detoxification and experience more joy, balance, and peace of mind.