Strategies for Managing Sensory Overload as an Adult
A few weeks ago, I shared that my husband teases me because the second the kids go up to bed, I sit in the pitch dark and read my kindle on dark mode. I do it almost every night. I crave silence and darkness and he calls me a Vampire.
I am an extroverted introvert. I love being alone. I could sit and read for days without any internet or human interaction. (Actually, that sounds amazing.)
When I shared about my strange nightly routine on IG stories, the response for all of you was overwhelming! So many people reached out to tell me the feel the same way.
We are on our phones, zoom meetings on the computer and Netflixing on and off throughout the day. Online grocery order, write that report for work and face time with the cousins. It is A LOT of screen time. No wonder we need a dark, cool cave at night!
I put together a list of some of my favorite ways to get some sensory overload relief:
weighted blanket / fuzzy hot water bottle / water bottle / ginger tea / weighted eye mask / Loop Ear Buds
I swear by my weighted blanket. i bought it last March and have not slept a night without it since then.
I love an old fashioned hot water bottle (especially when I have cramps). This one is extra comforting because of it’s cozy cover!
Ginger Tea is my answer to everything, and I especially love it hen I need to decompress.
This weighted eye mask is my do not disturb sign. Once it is on, I am in dream land and the kids know not to wake me!
Water is the answer to almost everything. Headache? Drink water. Stressed? Drink water. Irritable? Drink water. A brand new water bottle that I do not share with anyone always kick up my water intake a notch.
Do you struggle with sensory overload? Let me know how you cope.