When You're Overstimulated

Some days it can all feel like too much... another task, another noise, another worry, another person calling your name, another thing tugging at your already-at-capacity nervous system. This short practice offers a moment of subtraction. Designed for moments of overstimulation, overwhelm, or sensory overload, it uses less input, slower breathing, and simple body relaxation to help your nervous system settle. With fewer words and space to pause, you’ll give your attention just one place to rest.

Transcript

If you find yourself in a space of overstimulation it has likely been a day of addition. One thing on top of the next. This is a practice of subtraction. For the next few minutes, We are simply going to give your brain and your nervous system less to process. As you notice your breath slip into a rhythm that feels natural and easy. Allow your gaze to land on something in front of you. You don't need to analyze what you're looking at. You don't even need to pay attention to it. Just let your gaze land softly. Effortlessly. Almost as though you are looking through what you see. Bring a deep breath in. Open your mouth, Breathe out. And then gently close your eyes. Nothing to look at. Nothing to respond to. Nothing to solve. Simply a soft focus on the exhale. Allow your shoulders to drop. Your jaw to soften. Your arms and hands to rest. Notice the places where your body is connected to the surface beneath you. And the way gravity allows you to soften and heavy into them. You have spent enough time and energy taking things in today. Nothing else needs to come in right now. Less input. Less attention. Less reaching. Just you. And your slowing breath. And your heavy body. Softening any tension that builds in the muscles around your eyes. It's as though your entire skull can soften. And release what perhaps feels like an intense grip on your brain. Allow your breath to deepen most effortlessly. Gently open your eyes and once again allow your gaze to land where it lands. Allowing your eyes to simply rest there for a moment. Nothing to study. Nothing to notice. Just sitting with what is with you. Take a deep inhale. Holes. And have a quick sip of air at the top. And fully release. Moving forward now. No need to feel completely different. Just carrying a little less.