Be aware of mental noise

Most of your lives you got used to incessant mental chatter inside and mental noise or interference from outside. Your mental clutter is not even yours but what you absorbed from your environment. But you got so used to it, you are barely aware of it. It is now important to take notice of it as you emerge into outside world from COVID 19 lockdown.

Did you notice the Peace that permeates a grove of trees? Stand in a grove of trees, close your eyes and check how it makes you feel. Trees exude a calmness which we do not usually find in a human company. At the level of our consciousness, all humans are interconnected. So when we are in company of others, we pick up their thoughts, worries and emotions, although very subtly. It is something like bombarding mental waves into each other and soaking them up. That is why it is exhausting if you spend a lot of time being around people. After sometime, you will crave solitude for relaxation. In contrast, when you stand near a tree, you still sense vibrant life but no thought waves. So it feels sooting and relaxing. Trees even give you a sense of complete acceptance for the same reason.

Thanks to COVID-19 lockdown, you have avoided crowds for almost three months now. Except for your immediate family, you were left alone in your own company. After being in isolation for so long, some of you may find going into big crowds or public spaces annoying or disturbing, if not overwhelming. You lost the habit of that mental noise. You may feel anxiety in public transport or a shop or getting into your office and speaking to a group of people. This can be more acute if you are a naturally introverted or peace loving person.

Now that lockdown is eased up, when you emerge outside into public spaces, be aware of any discomfort about crowds or noise. Do not ignore any discomfort or irritation, it may lead you unknowingly into anxiety and stress. Notice it, but tell yourself it is normal to feel discomfort or a slight anxiety initially.

Spend a minute or so to disconnect from the buzz outside. Make sure to take a couple of minutes to relax into your heart, into the peace and calmness. This is your sacred space. You need this calmness to function well.

Once you get home, create some ‘me time’. You will need this solitude to connect back to peace for a couple of days. You will get used to crowds and noise in a while again.

Give your nerves some time to get adjusted to noise, crowds and activity. Don’t jump into socialising just because restrictions are eased up. Get into your rhythm slowly.

If you feel anxious, spend a few minutes on a green lawn or open and wide spaces, breathe in and absorb that peace. Savour it and store it in your heart. You can later dive into this peace even when you are in midst of crowds.

Lastly, seek out trees. Just a few minutes with a tree will restore you to calm and peace after a crowded day. Sit alone under a tree and connect with that peace and calm in it’s presence. You will feel recharged to face another day.

Remember, being at peace is important for your mental, emotional and physical wellbeing.

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