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L i s te n to T h e A B M P Po d c a s t a t a b m p.co m /p o d c a s t s o r w h e reve r yo u a cce s s yo u r favo r i te p o d c a s t s 81 TAKEAWAY: Now more than ever, we can experience the negative effects of sensory overload in our daily lives; disconnecting through a variety of options is beneficial for us both physically and mentally. darkness reset my body, senses, brain, and heart. I'm amazed how energized and balanced I felt by unplugging. Our modern world is constantly filled with sensory information—literally at the end of our fingertips. We have access to a world of information and entertainment in any given moment. Our senses are constantly being immersed in sight and sound that seems benign and yet constant. Birds, planes, cars, sirens, beeps, and beats. It's no wonder I was hungry for a sensory break and didn't even know it. Studies show that float tank experiences help ease muscles, tension, headaches, neck pain, stress-related pain, and other chronic pain conditions. For me, it was the experience of profound relief, release, and relaxation. It was as though the power to my fuse box was turned off, new fuses were replaced—even upgraded—and then gently, power was restored. Unplugging in this way recalibrated my sensory system to circulate and generate optimal energy flow. This experience underscored a very real biological hunger that can only be satiated by the essential nutrient derived from a sensory pause. Rather than reinforcing the dominant cultural imperative of time urgency where we fill every moment with something to do or consume, a sensory pause allows our biology an opportunity to slow down (rather than catch up) to the pace of our essence. Following this sensory isolation experience, it's clear to me that many of us may be in a state of sensory overload. SOS: SENSORY OVERLOAD SYNDROME Sensory overload may not be an officially recognized medical condition, and yet we are experiencing its very real impact on our mental, physical, and overall well-being. "Sensory overload is when one or many of your senses become overstimulated . . . when your senses take in more information than your brain can process," writes author Erin Eatough, PhD. 1 Many of us in the field of service are empathic and big-hearted. In addition to feeling what's happening under our hands, many of us directly or indirectly experience the anxiety, grief, and fears of living through a pandemic, climate change, or injustice (just to name a few) happening in today's world. We invite you to take a pause from the sensory deluge chronically assaulting your senses and find ways to unplug and recharge. Even if you can't get to a float tank, or it's just not your thing, consider giving yourself a sensory break. FINDING SOLACE IN A SENSORY REFUGE Besides sensory deprivation tanks, we can rebalance our excessive external orientation by temporarily withdrawing from our five senses (one of the eight limbs of yoga refer to this as pratyahara). Push pause on the constant stream of sounds by wearing a pair of noise-canceling headphones. And give your eyes a light break with a cool or warm eye cover. Perhaps add the grounding warmth and comfort of a weighted blanket to rest in the present moment. Set a pleasant-sounding timer for 10–20 minutes to enjoy some deep breathing as you affirm, "Here. Now." Or, instead, allow your inner rebel to delight in a short nap in the middle of a sensory-rich day. SCREEN TIME Scheduled screen breaks are particularly helpful in resetting our system. According to the book 24/6: The Power of Unplugging One Day a Week by Tiffany Shlain, there are massive benefits derived simply by turning off our screens for 24 hours once a week. Studies show that letting go of the screen helps us be more focused, productive, and creative. Taking screen and digital breaks helps humans sleep better, feel less anxious, and feel more connected.