Do you ever suffer from sensory overload?
Sensory overload happens when you have many external stimuli competing for your attention at the same time.
For me, hearing about sensory overload was an “aha!” moment. I am easily overwhelmed, and get irritable when there is too much going on around me. I would get very down on myself about it (in truth, I still do).
As I sit here typing, my kids are continually asking for a snack, band aids, to get out acrylic paints, etc. I have my ear pods in to drown out as much of the kids YouTube they insist on watching, while running like crazy people and screaming through the house. The dog is pacing around. I am tense. I am just a few stimuli away from losing my marbles and my temper and telling everyone to calm down. I don’t want to be like this, and it breaks my heart. I am very prone to auditory sensory overload. Too much noise from competing sources is definitely my Achilles heel.
Symptoms of sensory overload can include:
-difficulty focusing
-feeling restless and irritable
-feeling “wound up” or tense
-higher levels of sensitivity to fabrics, textures ( clothing that you normally wear hurts, or feels itchy and uncomfortable
-feeling anxious or stressed
(Healthline.com, 2018)
Some days I am at peace with the chaos, and other days I am just try to find a small bit of peace within it, you know? I think the first step in helping solve this dilemma is acknowledging that your are affected by it. Some people with certain conditions are more likely to experience sensory overload.
Some groups who may suffer from sensory overload are those who have:
-ADHD
-Generalized anxiety disorder
-Panic attacks or PTSD
-Fibromyalsia
-Multiple Sclerosis
-Sensory Processing Disorder
-Autism
(Healthline.com, 2018)
Ok, so you have realized you have a weakness. What can be done about it?
Since it is socially unacceptable for me to lock myself in a quiet closet for the rest of my life, (not to mention how boring that would be) I have come up with a few ways to work though the insanity.
Ways to combat sensory overload:
– Intervene as soon as you realize you are struggling. It is so important to catch yourself before you have reached your “boiling point”.
-Remove any stimuli you can without negatively affecting those around you. Maybe a loud game of hide and seek is doable, but the T.V. needs turned off in the meantime
-Take “sensory breaks”. Go outside. Hide in the bathroom. Do what you have to do to shut things out for a moment.
-Go for a walk. Nature has a quiet calming affect
-Turn up the tunes. This may seem counteractive but a single loud stimuli can help to drown out all the other competing noise. This is probably why I am a fan of loud concerts.
Today I’ll do my best to embrace the chaos. They are truly only little once. However, if you find me in the corner later with my ear buds in; don’t disturb the beast.
K.W.,(September 27, 2018) What is sensory overload. Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/health/sensory-overload.
The Anxious Empath 
This has happened to me. Noise-canceling headphones really help, especially in more chaotic locations. I’m lucky enough that my home, or at least my bedroom, is usually quiet.
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Jenna, noise cancelling headphones are definitely a great idea! Glad you are able to find a quiet spot to yourself at home.
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Yes, my noise-canceling headphones made crowded places so much better. (I mean, I suppose I might one day be part of a crowd again… It just feels like a distant memory in this pandemic.) However, I wish I had checked reviews a little more quickly. When mine have a low battery, they make this horribly loud screech that defeats their purpose!
I’m most grateful that I have a quiet place to retreat. My family is also very respectful of my needs, so if I say I need to be alone, they won’t pester me. I really lucked out with my home situation.
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