The reality of overstimulation in our everyday lives
Good morning, dear readers, and happy start to your week! I hope you are all well. Today, I want to talk about the importance of bringing silence into our lives. We are constantly exposed to external agents that often limit our ability to truly relax.
In the past, I struggled quite a bit with meditation because I couldn’t stop my thoughts. It’s like when you’re on vacation, but mentally your mind is still stuck at the office. It sounds crazy, but that’s the reality: we are stimulated all day long, and that prevents us from entering our sphere of silence.
Scientifically, this makes perfect sense. Research shows that constant exposure to noise and information overload can lead to chronic stress, affecting the brain’s ability to function properly. According to a 2011 study by the University of California, Berkeley, constant noise pollution disrupts the brain’s prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for focus, memory, and emotional regulation. In simple terms, our brain becomes exhausted and less capable of managing thoughts and emotions.
Why is it so difficult to reach mental silence?
There is no magic recipe; it requires effort on our part to gradually cultivate that state of presence, which brings so many benefits. Whether you meditate with tuning forks or simply focus on your breath, if you’re just starting out, you might notice it’s hard to reach that state of serenity. Constant practice is necessary to achieve deeper and deeper calm.
Neuroscientific studies on meditation show that regular mindfulness practice can physically alter brain structure, increasing the thickness of the prefrontal cortex and the insula, areas linked to self-awareness and emotional regulation. These changes help reduce mind-wandering, which explains why beginners often struggle with intrusive thoughts but improve over time.
Constant practice: the path to serenity
I personally remember when I first began meditating, my mind wouldn’t stop racing. So, I made it a habit to bring myself back to the present moment whenever I could, even if only for a few seconds. This helped my mind get used to being connected with the here and now — the only moment that truly exists.
Returning to the present: the only moment that exists
If we stop to think about it, the past no longer exists, and the future is unknown. So, the present moment is all we really have. Working with our friend the ego — who often tries to control our lives — is part of this process. In the end, we live alongside it.
Psychologist Daniel Kahneman talks about the “experiencing self” versus the “remembering self,” explaining that our true experience is always in the present moment, but our mind tends to live in memories or projections. Training our mind to stay present can increase happiness and reduce anxiety.
Managing the ego to regain control over the mind
I also recall how every morning I used to wake up, read the news, go to the office, then check social media. It was a routine — nothing wrong with that — but becoming aware of how much stimulation was harming my ability to connect was key.
Reducing external stimuli to boost concentration
Little by little, I left only what was necessary and progressively reduced the rest because, although unconsciously, all those distractions influenced my ability to concentrate and heal.
Especially in the morning and at bedtime, instead of watching the news, I replaced that time with breathing exercises and connecting with the new day, trying to stay present as much as possible. Then the events would come naturally, but I made an effort to keep that routine.
Simple routines to integrate silence into your daily life
Before going to sleep, I tried to hold onto the beautiful memories that, no matter how few, always appeared. I admit at first I felt some FOMO (fear of missing out), but little by little, my meditations improved because I felt a certain control over my mind — the very thing that blocks us from reaching that connection in the first place.
Patience on the journey: it’s not about perfection but connection
The process isn’t linear — some days it’s harder to reconnect than others — but the sun always rises, even when the sky is cloudy. Our experience is the same. We didn’t come here to be perfect because we are already perfect just as we are.