Disconnect to Reconnect
According to PsychologyToday.com, there’s a growing body of evidence that overstimulation can be a major contributing factor to anxiety and depression. The more noise and stimuli we experience, the more silence we need to balance. Disconnecting from unnecessary stimuli will allow your mind time to slow down, create space, and reconnect you to your to pure potentiality.
Here are my 5 simple steps to disconnect to reconnect:
Turn off your ringer and notifications as long as you’re not expecting an important call. How many notifications do you have on your phone from random companies and sites? Eliminating the constant flow of pinging alerts, incoming calls, emails, texts, voicemails, and other e-notifications can cut down on unnecessary noise and interruption. This will make more mindful choices rather than reactive ones. I have all notifications turned off other than texts, and I always have my phone on silent.
Enjoy silence instead of background music. Even easy listening and classical music can become irritating rather than relaxing when it is part of your everyday clamor. I have found the quickest way to retrain your brain for more silence is in the car. Turn off the radio and music, and resist the urge to call people. Allow your brain to enjoy the silence.
Make your home a TV-free zone at least one or two nights a week. Setting aside some quiet time instead to enjoy a book, a crossword puzzle, a craft project, or just be in silence. I love to spend time just staring into the fireplace before heading to bed.
Actively seek silence. Include mindfulness and meditative moments throughout your day. Repeating the mantra Neti, Neti, Neti silently to yourself for a few minutes when you wake up and in the evening is a simple way to start.
Shut down electronic devices, including televisions, computers, laptops, tablets and cell phones by 8:30 p.m. or at least 90 minutes before bed. I put my cell phone on “do not disturb” from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m.
Creating room and space in the mind can begin with simple steps that lead to a more peaceful, creative, and productive life.
