sensory deprivation - what, how and why?
Educational and Fun Activities
Written by Ella Wright
05 November 2024
đź•“ 10 min
Sensory deprivation may sound like a complex scientific concept, but its principles are straightforward and impactful, especially for understanding how the brain reacts to reduced stimuli. While it might seem counterintuitive to remove sensory input from our everyday experiences, sensory deprivation can have surprising benefits for cognitive and emotional health. This blog explores what sensory deprivation is, how it works, and why it can play an important role in enhancing mental focus, reducing stress, and even boosting creativity.
If you’re interested in the science behind sensory experiences and how they shape children’s development, read on. The Science of Sound delves into the brain’s responses to sensory stimuli, offering parents, educators, and caregivers valuable insights on how such experiences can impact learning and emotional well-being.
What Is Sensory Deprivation?
At its core, sensory deprivation involves reducing or entirely eliminating the external sensory inputs that reach the brain. Typically, this is achieved by isolating the individual from sources of sound, light, touch, or other stimuli. Sensory deprivation chambers or “float tanks” are commonly used environments for these experiences. Inside a float tank, a person lies in a quiet, dark chamber filled with water heated to body temperature, effectively removing sensations of sound, sight, and touch. This allows the brain to enter a state of profound calm, free from the usual distractions of everyday life.
While the term “sensory deprivation” may sound negative, this practice isn’t designed to create stress. On the contrary, sensory deprivation is often employed to induce relaxation and mental clarity, particularly for those experiencing high levels of sensory overload in their daily lives. When external stimuli are removed, the brain can focus inward, resulting in a heightened awareness of thoughts and emotions. For children, however, sensory deprivation practices would be carefully modified to ensure they are comfortable and not overwhelmed.
In recent years, sensory deprivation has gained attention as a tool for mental health and cognitive improvement. Studies show that sensory deprivation can have therapeutic effects, helping to reduce anxiety and stress by allowing the brain a chance to rest. When the brain is not processing external information, it has the opportunity to reset, refresh, and refocus. By understanding what sensory deprivation entails, parents and educators can better assess whether this approach might benefit children who need mental rest or struggle with overstimulation.
How Does Sensory Deprivation Work?
Sensory deprivation primarily works by altering the way the brain processes information. When the brain is deprived of external stimuli, its usual processing functions slow down. Research indicates that in the absence of sensory input, the brain’s alpha and theta brainwave activity increases, which are associated with relaxation and creativity. This change in brainwave patterns can lead to deep relaxation and sometimes even meditative or dream-like states. In float tanks, the effects are particularly pronounced, as the combination of weightlessness and quiet darkness allows the mind to disengage from the typical constraints of gravity, sound, and visual input.
One theory behind sensory deprivation’s benefits is that the brain has a limited capacity for processing information at any one time. In everyday life, we constantly receive sensory input, from visual images to auditory information, which the brain processes continuously. Removing this input gives the brain a break, allowing it to allocate energy toward other processes, such as emotional regulation or problem-solving. The lack of external sensory information allows the brain to shift its focus inward, often leading to heightened self-awareness and introspection.
While sensory deprivation is most commonly practised in controlled environments like float tanks, there are also simpler methods, such as meditative practices that focus on minimising visual and auditory input. For children, sensory deprivation would need to be adapted carefully. Techniques such as creating quiet, dimly lit “calm spaces” where children can retreat for short periods can help them experience a milder version of sensory reduction. These methods allow children to gradually become comfortable with reduced sensory input, potentially supporting their emotional resilience and focus over time.
Why Sensory Deprivation Can Be Beneficial:
Sensory deprivation offers several potential benefits, from stress reduction and emotional resilience to increased creativity and focus. The practice of sensory deprivation is rooted in the concept of giving the brain time to recharge, and its benefits are backed by a growing body of research. For adults and children alike, the chance to experience a break from constant sensory stimulation can lead to positive changes in mood, behaviour, and cognitive functioning.
One of the primary reasons sensory deprivation is beneficial is that it provides an opportunity for the brain to “declutter.” In today’s fast-paced world, children are often exposed to a high level of sensory input, from bright screens to loud noises, which can become overwhelming. Sensory overload can lead to increased stress, irritability, and difficulty focusing. Sensory deprivation, therefore, offers a way to counterbalance these effects, allowing the brain to process and release pent-up stress and tension.
Additionally, sensory deprivation can promote creativity. When external stimuli are removed, the mind is free to wander and explore new ideas without distraction. This unfocused state, often called “diffuse mode,” allows the brain to make connections between ideas that it might not access during focused work or study. For children, this could be highly beneficial in promoting imagination and problem-solving skills. In fact, studies have shown that sensory deprivation can improve creative thinking and cognitive flexibility, which are crucial for learning and development.
Parents and educators looking to support children’s mental well-being can use sensory deprivation principles to create calm, controlled environments. Quiet spaces, free from excessive noise and visual distractions, can provide children with a sanctuary to recharge. These environments could be especially useful in schools or homes where children may feel overwhelmed by stimuli, helping them refocus and return to learning activities with renewed energy.
Experiment with Personal Preferences – Each child has a unique relationship with music. Involving children in the selection of study music can make them feel invested and increase the likelihood that they will enjoy and benefit from the experience. While parents may prefer classical tunes, children may gravitate toward certain ambient or jazz tracks that help them relax. In this way, music becomes a collaborative tool for enhancing learning.
The Impact of Sensory Deprivation on Emotional and Behavioural Regulation:
Sensory deprivation doesn’t just impact the brain’s cognitive functions; it also plays a significant role in emotional and behavioural regulation. Children, in particular, can benefit from sensory deprivation’s calming effects, as it can help them manage feelings of anxiety, stress, and overstimulation. When children experience a quiet environment with limited sensory input, their nervous systems can reset, reducing the “fight-or-flight” response triggered by excessive sensory input. This calm state can make it easier for children to process emotions, which can improve their responses to challenging situations both in academic and social settings.
The effects of sensory deprivation on emotional regulation are often linked to its ability to reduce cortisol levels. Cortisol, commonly known as the “stress hormone,” is produced when the body experiences stress or overstimulation. By reducing sensory input, the brain can lower its cortisol production, leading to an overall sense of calm. For children who may be prone to sensory overload, such as those with sensory processing challenges or ADHD, sensory deprivation offers a unique approach to reducing stress. Float tanks and controlled sensory environments can help reduce the cortisol “spikes” that lead to irritability or anxiety, allowing children to experience a sense of relaxation that they may find difficult to achieve in busy or noisy environments.
Conclusion: Exploring Sensory Experiences with the Science of Sound
Sensory deprivation, though often misunderstood, holds great promise as a tool for enhancing well-being, focus, and creativity. By giving the brain a chance to rest from constant sensory processing, sensory deprivation allows individuals to reconnect with their inner thoughts and emotions, creating a foundation for improved mental clarity and reduced stress. For children, creating small moments of sensory reduction through quiet, controlled environments can provide similar benefits, supporting emotional resilience and cognitive growth.
If you’re interested in exploring how sensory experiences impact children’s learning and well-being, the Science of Sound offers a unique approach to understanding sensory input and its effects. Through our holiday camps and after-school programmes, we introduce children to the science of sound and sensory perception in a safe, engaging, and educational setting. Join us to help your child discover the benefits of sensory exploration, and watch them develop newfound skills in focus, creativity, and emotional resilience!
