When someone experiences too much sensory input, information, or action than they can handle well, it may cause them stress, feeling too much to manage, worry, and problems focusing or choosing what to do. Too much stimulation can impact any person and might come from different things, such as noisy places, too many people around, heavy amounts of work, or spending a long time looking at screens.
When there are too many things happening around, like very loud sounds or strong lights, or even when you see lots of stuff on computer and phone screens all the time, your senses get too much to handle. It can make it hard for a person to deal with this information properly. This occurrence is mainly common in people called Highly Sensitive People (HSP), a name made known by Dr. Elaine Aron through her groundbreaking studies. According to Aron, HSPs are people who experience stronger emotional, mental, and physical reactions to things around them because their nervous system is more sensitive.
Recognizing Highly Sensitive People (HSP)
Contrary to the negative view many people have about sensitivity, being a Highly Sensitive Person is not something wrong. It means you process sensory details much deeper, and you get overstimulated more easily. If you are an HSP, usually strong reactions happen when there is too much noise or very bright light. Feelings can be intense, including understanding others’ emotions well, getting quickly stressed by doing several things at once, and looking for quiet time alone to get back your energy. Dr. Aron’s Self-Evaluation for Sensory Processing Sensitivity is a useful instrument for people who think they may be Highly Sensitive People (Aron, E. N., 1996).
Overstimulation Symptoms and Triggers
When there is too much stimulation, it can show in different forms, like not being able to concentrate, feeling easily annoyed or worried, and having body reactions such as pain in the head or stomach problems. People who are highly sensitive might feel this way, but also those with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) have these kinds of feelings. Current ways of living with digital technology, where people spend a lot of time looking at screens and getting too much information, really add to the problem of feeling overwhelmed by too many sensations. The situation with the pandemic that keeps going on has made this worse because more individuals find themselves having to use digital devices even more.
Strategies for Managing Overstimulation
Reduce Time on Screens
To prevent getting overstimulated, try practical methods to decrease the amount of time spent on digital devices. Techniques include using features that monitor your screen usage duration and designating specific times as no-screen periods, especially before sleep, to improve rest quality.
Make a Private Quiet Place
Finding a quiet and comfortable spot where you can unwind and recharge is essential. Arrange this space with fewer sensory distractions, such as soft lighting, minimal noise, and furniture that is pleasant to the touch.
Try Mindfulness
Practicing meditation for mindfulness, engaging in deep breathing exercises, and performing yoga can assist you in managing your sensory responses. These activities contribute to cultivating a sense of tranquility and presence in the current moment.
Establish Limits
Explaining to others what you need and the boundaries you want to have helps you manage social settings and environments that make you feel very stressed. It includes planning for quiet times and peaceful spaces in the homes you share with other people.
Calming Sounds
When you listen to sounds or music that feel familiar and soothing, they can serve as a buffer for your senses. This assists in mitigating the sensation of excessive stimulation.
Final Words
If a person can see when they are getting overstimulated and use good methods to cope, they can take care of their health better, do more work well, and have a life that is fuller and more balanced.
I have included information from psychology, neuroscience, and studies on mental health. This gives our readers a complete understanding of overstimulation, along with useful tips that are based on science. By doing so, we not only teach but also give our readers the tools to handle too much sensory input in a positive way that is backed by knowledge.
