Navigating a busy world … - Sabine Christelli

A reflection. The idea that humans are cognitively wired to meaningfully engage with only about 150 to 200 people comes from Dunbar’s Number, a concept proposed by British anthropologist Robin Dunbar. It suggests that due to the limitations of our neocortex, we can only maintain stable social relationships with around 150 people — this includes knowing who they are and how they relate to others.

Now, add to that the unprecedented flood of information we’re exposed to today:

Thousands of data points daily: news headlines, social media posts, emails, ads, podcasts, opinions, images, text messages, and more.
Emotionally charged content: war, disaster, injustice, beauty, inspiration — often in rapid succession. Our nervous systems weren’t designed for this.
24/7 availability: Our “threat detection” and social comparison systems are now always on, with no evolutionary precedent for rest or filtering.

In essence, we are living in cognitive overwhelm. The prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for executive function and attention, becomes overloaded. This often leads to:

Decision fatigue
Emotional exhaustion
Disrupted sleep
Loss of intuitive clarity and connection to self

So yes, we are digesting far more information — and far more fragmented, disembodied, and often meaningless information — than any human generation ever has. The inner cost is profound.

What helps?
My life’s work speaks to this deeply already, and I offer support in the form of classes, talks, videos and blog posts like this; but here are some key practices backed by science and tradition:

Information fasting: just as with food, digestion improves with conscious pauses.
Returning to the body: breath, stillness, movement — shifting from mind-dominance to somatic awareness.
Meaningful connection over mass consumption: choose quality over quantity in relationships and content.
Nature exposure: resets the nervous system and entrains us back to natural rhythms.
Inner inquiry: journaling, contemplation, meditation — this re-centres us amidst chaos.

You’re not alone in feeling this. Many sensitive and awake beings are feeling overstimulated by a world on hyperdrive. And the insight — that the “normal” is not actually natural — is part of the healing.

Here is a gentle visualization for clearing information overload and returning to inner stillness:

Visualization: “The Sanctuary Within”

Find a quiet place. Sit or lie down comfortably. Let your breath begin to slow… soft, deep inhales… longer, gentle exhales. Shoulders slowly relaxing down, eyelids closing down gentle and heavily – just right for you in this moment.

Imagine:
You are standing at the edge of a vast, flowing river. This river represents the stream of information — endless headlines, voices, images, notifications, opinions, noise. It rushes past, fast and relentless. You’ve been standing in it — up to your waist, sometimes your chest — for far too long. It’s tiring.

Now, step out of the river. You instantly dry off all the waters as if by magic. Feel your feet touch solid, quiet ground. A deep forest surrounds you. The air is cool. There’s birdsong in the distance. A path leads you gently away from the river, into the trees. With each step, the noise fades.

Walk until you reach a small, peaceful clearing — your own unique soothing sanctuary. The light just right for you. The temperature perfect for your comfort.
You notice that in the centre is a circle of smooth welcoming earth. Sit or lie here. The sun dapples through the trees above. You are safe. You are held. Nothing is asking anything of you here.

Visualize the leftover noise — articles, posts, images, worries, comparisons — lifting from your body like dust. So easily. Now.
See it all float gently upward and dissolve into the light.
With each breath, you return to simplicity.

Breathe in: quiet.
Breathe out: release.
Breathe in: presence.
Breathe out: overthinking.

Feel the rhythm of your heartbeat. Feel your body softening. Allow. Right now.
You are not here to carry the world.
You are here to be connected to your centre. To who you really are.

From there, wisdom flows.

Stay in this sanctuary as long as you need.

When you’re ready, you can slowly return —
and know that this place is always within you.
Just a breath away.

– Sabine Christelli

Find more meditations, resources on human potential, sleep, breathwork here:

Podcast: Sleep Easy: https://sleepeasy.podbean.com/

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/Inspiration

Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com@sabine_christelli

Your freebie 10 benefits and ten tips for better sleep here

Some of my previous work & magazine features: Great link: retreat: https://oceanmagazine.com.au/sleep-retreat/

Sleep Programme at The Reef House 5 star Adults only Resort in Cairns, QLD: https://www.reefhouse.com.au/sleep-easy-at-the-reef-house/

Chakra online course – the foundations- just $48 here