Do you ever feel overstimulated? Have you shut down because you can't take in any more information? Have you ever wanted to scream for everyone to just shut up?

If so, allow me to introduce you to the Ayurvedic practice of samvritta, or, cleansing the senses.

Think about how much sensory information we take in everyday through our eyes, ears, mouths, noses, and skin. All the media, pings, dings, music, honking horns, people talking, dogs barking, babies crying, every flavor from strong coffee to sweet treats, perfumes, aromas, and unpleasant wafts from the garbage can. It goes on! No wonder we feel overwhelmed!

This amount of stimuli can dull our senses over time, and put us in a chronic state of fight, flight, or freeze.

When you feel burnout coming on, try a sensory reset.

For your eyes:

• Reduce screen time. If you can't take a day off, dial it way back, but if you can, spend a day (or more!) without screens.

• Rest in the daytime with a weighted eye pillow over your eyes.

• Turn off overhead lights at night and use soft lamp light instead.

• Rinse with cold water either with an eye cup or cupped hands.

• Spend time in nature gazing at the color green, or a distant horizon, or a sunset.

For your ears:

• Embrace silence. Drive, do chores, eat, or simply sit in silence.

• Practice ujjayi or brahmari to open and soothe the inner ear.

• Spend time in nature listening to the soothing sounds of birdsong, running water, waves, or rustling trees.

For your nose:

• Use a neti pot to rinse the sinuses.

• Skip the perfume, incense, and/or scented candles.

• Walk in nature and notice the scent of the flowers, trees, and dirt.

For your mouth:

• Scrape your tongue in the morning.

• Go easy on spicy, salty, sweet, and pungent flavors.

• Drink plain room temperature water.

For your skin:

• Avoid heavily scented soaps and lotions.

• Go au naturel and skip the make-up.

• Dry brush or try garshana, exfoliating with soft gloves.

A sensory reset can relieve brain fog, boost creativity, and bring clarity and peace of mind. In yoga, this practice, known as pratyahara, is one of the eight steps to ultimate peace.

Mind your sensory input to feel more grounded and calm.

Peace to you,

~P