tackling overstimulation / saturation 🧠
do you notice the headache that occurs when you are overstimulated? you know, the one where the headache does not fully develop, but the onset of it is truly present.
like the edges of your brain are pulsating with too much energy to contain.
at least, that's what it feels like to me.
i don't have adhd, but still get sensory overload at times. this frequently occurs after too many hours on my phone [ yeah i really should do something about this ], a long day at work or after consuming too many media sources (the news, for example).
i have found a way for myself to deal with this that i would love to share, it might help someone else out too.
i do a 30 min "de-stimulating" pause.
i make myself a nice warm drink. i lay in bed or sit on the couch. i set a 30 min timer. and i have 3 rules:
no screens. no phone no laptop no tv no tablet no nothing.
no words. no paper no book no ereader no nothing.
no sounds. no podcast no audiobook no music no nothing.
i take these 30 minutes to just. exist. let my mind wander. look and listen at the world around me. i don't practice mindfulness during this time. i don't intend on fixing any issues or answering any questions i might have. i just continue existing. when the timer is up, i carry on with my day.
with a lot more focus. with a lot more energy. but most of all, with a much clearer mind.