Some days,
everything
simply feels overpowering—and even completely daunting
annoying
The noise from footsteps or the buzz of an air conditioner can be quite irritating. You’re simply left puzzled.
feeling stuffed
,
stressed
, and feeling anxious about even the most trivial stuff—and no, this anxiety isn’t necessarily due to being on your period.
If this rings true for you, know that you’re not alone. This bombardment of sensations probably indicates overstimulation. As stated by
Rinnah Ramirez
, a licensed psychometrist and writer of
Prior to Becoming a Psychologist
“Overstimulation may stem from numerous factors in everyday living,” such as intense noises, potent aromas, glaring illumination, prolonged exposure to screens, or even extensive interpersonal engagements.
Task overload
Another frequent trigger—and we all can experience it.
“Specific settings and tasks have a higher likelihood of causing overstimulation. Activities demanding sustained attention or heavy multitasking—including playing video games, engaging in lengthy study sessions, or handling projects with strict timelines—can notably boost the probability of experiencing overload,” Rinnah explained.
Cosmopolitan Philippines
.
“Just the same, environments like open-concept workspaces, classrooms, and leisure areas such as shopping centers and theme parks might be too much for people with sensitivity to sensory stimulation,” she noted.
What Is Overstimulation?
Excessive stimulation isn’t merely about feeling burdened, pressured, or irritated. As per Rinnah, what characterizes this condition is “the challenge of handling an overload of sensory or mental stimuli like high-pitched sounds, glaring light, or simultaneously dealing with several activities.”
“Frequent symptoms encompass problems with focus, mood swings, and a strong inclination to distance oneself from various inputs. Physically, this might appear as head pains, muscular tightness, or
fatigue
Emotionally, people could go through moments of frustration.
anxiety
“or abrupt eruptions,” Rinnah clarified.
Experiencing sensory overload is a common human feeling, and nobody should dismiss this sensation as invalid. Particularly in our current digital era, with fast-paced technology evolving around us, overstimulation has grown even more pertinent.
“Screen ubiquity and constant alerts significantly boost sensory information, leading to frequent oversaturation,” Rinnah noted.
Although everybody encounters instances of being overwhelmed at times, some individuals are more prone to such feelings. This sensation is especially prevalent among those who have developmental issues.
mental health
Conditions like ADHD or autism make it crucially important to tackle this subject head-on and dismantle the associated stigmas.
Advice for Handling Sensory Overload
Feeling overwhelmed? That’s alright—there’s no need to remain stuck in that state. Rinnah provides useful strategies to assist you in handling and moving past overstimulation.
-
Create calm environments
Utilize noise-canceling headphones to eliminate unwelcome noises and create peaceful areas with low lighting where you can rejuvenate. -
Limit digital overload
: Ensure you take frequent pauses from your devices, silence unnecessary alerts, and establish limits for using technology. -
Proceed one step at a time.
: Stay away from multitasking and rank your tasks to lessen mental stress. It’s helpful to learn how to turn down extra obligations as well, which aids in keeping things balanced.
If overstimulation starts interfering with your everyday activities, relationships, or general health, it’s crucial to seek professional assistance, Rinnah highlighted. Specialists can aid you in these areas:
- Develop personalized coping strategies
- Recognize and tackle underlying factors like problems with sensory processing or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
Keep in mind that handling oversaturation is a process, and taking tiny, persistent actions can lead to significant changes.
