Mental overload: strategies and rituals for regaining calm
We live in a state of information overload: news, emails, notifications, social media and messages pile up and overlap, constantly vying for our attention. When the volume and speed of these stimuli exceed the brain’s capacity to filter and process them, mental fatigue, stress and difficulty concentrating and making decisions all increase. The heat, moreover, makes the situation worse. The problem is not merely having too much information, but being forced to switch relentlessly from one piece of content to another, without the time needed to take it all in. This creates a growing need for moments of respite that can restore balance: creams with sensorial textures, enveloping oils, fragrances that promote relaxation and lull you to sleep, right through to new lenses designed to reduce the daily cognitive load. Different solutions, united by the same goal: to slow down, clear the mind and rediscover a sense of well-being.
The new Clear Mind lenses to reduce cognitive load
The new ZEISS ClearMind lenses are based on neuroscientific research carried out by the ZEISS Vision Science Lab to analyse the relationship between visual quality and cognitive load. Studies have shown that blurring and peripheral distortions not only affect image sharpness, but can also force the brain to work harder to interpret visual information. When vision is blurred or incomplete, the mental effort required to carry out everyday activities such as driving, working on a computer or interacting with objects increases. This evidence has led to the development of ClearMind, a new range of lenses for everyday use designed to offer exceptionally sharp vision and reduce the cognitive load associated with visual processing. ZEISS NeurOptix technology optimises the peripheral areas of the lens and aligns the areas of greatest sharpness with the natural movements of the eyes, improving comfort on days characterised by intensive use of digital devices. The effectiveness of the lenses has been assessed using both subjective and objective parameters, including the NASA TLX test, electroencephalography and blink rate.
The relaxing power of music
Music can slow the flow of thoughts, ease tension and guide the body and mind towards a state of greater calm. It is from this evocative and rejuvenating power that one of the most surprising features of Splash & Spa Tamaro emerges – a wellness centre on the outskirts of Lugano, at the foot of Mount Tamaro, characterised by two distinct yet harmoniously coexisting aspects. Open every day of the year, Splash & Spa Tamaro covers an area of 12,000 square metres, featuring a wealth of heated pools and seven state-of-the-art slides that guarantee thrills. The most striking feature, however, is *Il Suono di Sole* (The Sound of the Sun), an installation curated by Franco Mussida, frontman of PFM – Premiata Forneria Marconi, which combines music, painting and poetry. Inside a transparent hemisphere, seven sound sources follow the cycle of the sun and the seasons, creating an ever-changing symphony that guides visitors towards a state of greater calm and contemplation.
