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A lot of us go through our lives continually zoning out. We start reading a page in a paper or watching something on TV, but then we get lost in our minds and become totally absorbed in thought. 

When it happens, it can feel a little strange. Often, you don’t actually know how long you’ve been “out.” All you know is that your consciousness was elsewhere for a while, and only now is it firmly back in the present. 

Zoning out episodes can be negative. For instance, as a coach who has experience working with people with neurodiversity, I know that people with ADD tend to experience them more frequently because they can’t focus on the task-at-hand. What’s more, people with depression and anxiety will also often have long periods where they’re processing things in their minds, without really paying much attention to what’s going on in the outside world. 

Zoning out isn’t necessarily a bad thing. In fact, it can help to rejuvenate your body. 

The Power Of Letting Go

All of us go through our waking moments, carrying a lot of psychological baggage around with us. We’d all like to believe that we’re free, happy human beings. But when our egos get in the way, it can leave us feeling stressed, panicked, angry and sad. 

That’s why a lot of people practice the art of meditation. The idea here is to let go of the conscious thoughts coming from the ego and just concentrate on physical consciousness. 

This process is interesting. Instead of directing your thoughts all the time, you’re giving up on them, and experiencing a different kind of state, one that isn’t wracked by fears, guilt, shame or anger.

Many people report that getting into this state daily helps them to better deal with the challenges of life. You’re not giving up on who you are as a person. But you are giving your mind a break from the incessant chatter and just “zoning out” so to speak. After all, everyone needs a break, it offers so many benefits. I love being a meditation instructor!

How To Let Go And Zone Out

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Most people zone out every night when they go to sleep. But there’s an art to doing it during waking hours. It takes a lot of practice and a desire to learn. However, the more you practice it, the easier it becomes. You’re about to shut off external stimuli and just concentrate on what it’s like to be a self-aware person. 

Some people use physical aids to get them to a better place, like a floatation tank. 

But what is a floatation tank? 

A floatation tank is essentially a tool that you can use to cut out all external stimuli. You lie in a large tank filled with water and then experience the nothingness of your surroundings. You can’t see, hear or even feel anything, depriving your brain of sensory inputs. After a while, you find yourself floating off into a new state of consciousness. If you are new to floating, it's best to try at least three floating sessions to really understand how it works, as the first one will be very much spent getting used to the sensation and learning how to feel comfortable in that. The real benefits come with the second, third and beyond.

The purpose of zoning out, therefore, seems to be self-protective. Our brains need systems that allow them to shut down for a while and recuperate between episodes of high stress. 

If you are a chronic achiever, it actually helps to spend time being 100% lazy. The problem comes when we spend too much time in the middle. Some well-needed PROPER rest is much better than 'distracted productivity' - and this is where mindfulness comes in. The more awareness you have developed from your mindfulness practise, the more easily you will be able to focus and bring that 100% to whatever you're doing, whether it's having a break or being productive.

Take yourself a real big step towards outcomes such as increased productivity, more regular mindfulness practise, better stress management and increased authenticity by connecting with me one to one in coaching. You can book yourself a free consultation here.

xxx