How to Survive Overstimulation

Overstimulation is basically a sensory overload. Do you ever find yourself snapping at the smallest things in the world for no reason? I know I do.

In my opinion being overwhelmed stems from the feeling that your brain has about 836 tabs open at one time and life just keeps piling more crap on top of you.

Overstimulation often leads to tears… A couple weeks ago I was having a real rubbish day, I had so much to do! And I thought you know what I need a break, so I’ll stop for lunch.

I tried to take some deep breaths and be calm. I made myself a cup of tea and a cheese and ham panini, I set the TV up to watch some Gilmore Girls as my panini cooked.

Gilmore Girls always mellows me out. I put my panini and my tea on the side table, and I pressed play and as the sound of Lorelai Gilmore soothed my mind I thought ‘Stephanie, you were ready to take a real tantrum there for absolutely no reason, It’s not all bad’….

I reclined my chair to get into full relaxation mode that was mistake number one, the chair hit the side table and my panini fell to the ground then came mistake number 2, Mikey – my annoying dog who ran off with my panini in his mouth!! I cried and went to bed for a nap just so I didn’t have to deal with my feelings.

Honestly, I can’t even blame being dramatic on pregnancy – I guess it doesn’t help but seriously the smallest things can overwhelm me at times, sometimes my children or my husband ask me a question and I just get so pissy. And don’t even get me started on when I am feeling this way If someone dare to ask me what’s wrong, ‘it’s like wrong, what’s wrong? Just everything in the whole world’.

As a mam overstimulation is something we face on the daily. The never-ending list of chores, the sound of your children arguing, the constant feeling of being touched (my daughter loves to stroke my hair and sometimes I get so mad just because I’m really feeling that sensory overload, and then I have to feel like worlds worst mum for getting irritated at her loving gesture.)

The constant sound of ‘mum, mum, mum, mum, mum, mum’… and the sound of my dogs feet going pitter patter on the floor (even as I type all these small annoyances down I can feel my chest tightening!)

So why do sensory overloads happen?

Sensory overload occurs when your brain receives more input from your five senses than it can effectively sort through and process. Imagine your brain as a complex computer system: it interprets information relayed by your senses and guides your reactions. However, when faced with competing sensory information, your brain struggles to prioritise and focus on what’s essential, and this leaves you feeling overstimulated.

My top tips to help with overstimulation!

1.      Take a Break

This can be hard when you have children especially when they’re older- at least with a baby they do nap so its silent time, or you can leave the room without them following you.

So, when you need to step away from the source of overstimulation try my go to- which is to go to the bathroom because I can lock the door, and nobody can get to me and just turn the shower on to drown out the background noise – I find something so soothing about the sound of the shower.

Wow that sounds like a real selling point for motherhood, doesn’t it? Pretending you’re in the shower because it’s one of the only ways to get a little peace and quiet.

2.      Take a deep breath!

When you feel an emotional outburst coming try to take a few deep breaths to keep the tears or shouting at bay.

3.      Learn to say NO.

Look you can’t be superwoman every day and sometimes you need to prioritise your time on things that will benefit you and your family and to hell with anyone else's expectations or what they think about that. Try to only do things that make you feel good!

Sometimes saying no to something has resulted in me getting called selfish before- and as hurtful as it can be for people to think that you're being selfish when you know that you would do anything for anyone you have to try to let go of their feelings as it isn't your priority. And remember what other people think of you is not your concern.

And you know what else... If someone thinks you're selfish for prioritising your own timetable that's a them problem - not a you problem gal.

4.      Limit screen time.

Soz if it feels I suggest this for everything – but it works! Too much screen time leaves you feeling sluggish and extra irritated. There’s nothing worse than having scrolled for ages and then putting your phone down and feeling like your real life isn’t living up to the expectation of other peoples highlight reels.

Then on top of that your list of things to do is still just as long as before you started scrolling TikTok but now you have even less time to do it... So guess what - you're going to feel even more overwhelmed now.

5.      Go outside.

Fresh air really does help, it is a cleanse for your mental space. I know when you feel overwhelmed the last thing you want to do is go a walk and add another thing on your to do list but trust me gals it helps.

6.      None of these helping? Reach out to a friend.

I always tell my children that a problem shared is a problem halved and it’s true! Sometimes just by talking to someone about how you are feeling it can offer an instant sense of relief.

These are tried and tested tips for me that really do work. And please don’t feel bad for prioritising you, because you can’t pour from an empty cup mama.