Your Senses Are Unable to Attend to Every Stimulus in the Environment at the Same Time
Have you ever felt overwhelmed by all the stimulation in your environment? If so, you’re not alone. You’re experiencing something known as sensory overload.
Sensory overload occurs when your senses are unable to attend to every stimulus in the environment at the same time. Our senses are bombarded with too much information for our brains to process, leading to feelings of confusion, frustration, and exhaustion.
The causes of sensory overload can vary, but it often happens when we’re exposed to large crowds, loud noises, bright lights, strong scents, complex sensory stimuli such as flashing images on a screen or even our own emotions. We may also experience sensory overload when we take on too many tasks at once, resulting in feeling overwhelmed.
It is important to recognize when sensory overload is occurring and take steps to reduce it. People who are prone to sensory overload can take proactive measures, such as:
- Reducing the amount of sensory stimuli, such as turning down the volume of music
- Limiting the amount of tasks taken on
- Taking frequent breaks to rest and relax
- Seeking out places with comfortable and calming atmospheres
- Practicing mindfulness, meditation, or deep breathing exercises
In addition to helping manage the occasional sensory overload, these strategies can also help build resilience to cope with chronic sensory overload issues.
Sensory overload can have an adverse effect on our physical and mental health, so it’s important to be mindful of our environment and take steps to reduce it. We can start by taking breaks to regain our composure and focus on calming activities.
By understanding sensory overload and taking steps to reduce it, we can better care for ourselves and develop healthier coping skills for the future.