okayHighly sensitive, overstimulated, anxious. It seems that I'm very sensitive to the environment around me. This can be overwhelming at times, but it can also be very exciting and beautiful. I found some notes on sensory overload in a notebook at work today and wanted to share these along with some positive aspects of sensory sensitivity.
| What sounds are comforting? -Rain -Fountains -Ceiling fans or oscillating fans -Hammered dulcimers -Slow, steady hymns -Repetitive, rhythmic music What sights are comforting? -Fireflies -Light on water -Vast, open land -Open sky -Solid colors -Stars -Crystalline structure -Books of lists/timelines/characters -Pretty greeting cards What textures are comforting? -Low stone walls -Calcite -Beanbags -Petting animals or squeezing stuffed animals -Band rings -Hats What spaces are comforting? -Flat surfaces -Enclosed spaces, weighted blanket -Rocking chairs, swings What smells are comforting? -Burt's Bees hand cream (the one in a glass container) What tastes are comforting? -Mild herbal tea -Cheesecake What are some of my favorite places? -Gettysburg battlefield, bicycle standing by. -My Grandparent's porch at dusk. -Friendly's with a Reeces Pieces Sundae :P -The little Amish cemetery along Rt 45. -Newport Aquarium. -Crew's quarters on the Fishing Schooner at Mystic Seaport. -Nara, Japan. -Morrow, Ohio. -Home. What other ideas have people had? http://www.mysensoryshelter.com/ | What things trigger sensory overload for me? -Bright light (sight) -Disorderly clutter, books not lined up on bookshelves (sight) -Many people moving at once (sight) -Many people talking at once (sound) -Loud music (sound) -Strongly scented cleaners (smell) -Certain candles (smell) -Scratchy clothing, loose socks, non-cotton fabric (touch) -Turtlenecks, scarves (touch) How can I tell if I’m approaching sensory overload? -Exhaustion, weakness, trembling -Can't muster the strength to speak or make eye contact -Rattled by ordinary sounds/smells/sights that typically don't bother me -Tense, bracing myself -Panicky, urge to run away, backs into corners -Irritability, anger, defensiveness -Hesitation, reluctance -Withdrawl What happens when my senses are overloaded? -Headache -Nausea -Fatigue -Shaking -Crying How can I prevent sensory overload? -Avoid triggers -Limit social outings to one hour -Rest before and after -Stay hydrated and well nourished -Have an escape plan What's in my sensory emergency kit? -Earplugs -A beanbag -A little Red Blood Cell -A yellow calcite stone -Headphones How can I recover from sensory overload? -Rest in solitude with no scheduled plans the rest of the day -If ill: lay down in a dark, quiet, cool room -If stressed: rock, cry, listen to techno music, jump up and down, hug a plushie How do I know when I’ve recovered from sensory overload? -Feeling refreshed -No longer feeling defensive or agitated -Feeling hungry -Feeling eager to do things again |
