Do you often feel overstimulated? You are not alone. Fortunately, there are a lot of things you can do when you get overstimulated. Let’s see.
That’s how you get overstimulated
In a world where we have to be reachable at all times, overstimulation is lurking. Of course, being connected online has its advantages, but it can also be very tiring.
After all, you are expected to always have your phone on. Who knows, you might even wear a smartwatch , so you can feel social media notifications coming in when your phone is a few meters away.
And forgetting a birthday is no longer allowed, because your digital agenda reminds you of everything, right? And if you don’t post anything on Instagram for a few days, the concerned messages pour in: “Is everything okay?”
We live in a busy world
We live in a busy city or in a lively residential area. It is teeming with cars, cyclists and children playing. But also the screaming advertising. Everywhere something can be seen or heard. Because are you already following that one YouTube account? And do you listen to that inspiring podcast? “You can do that while walking or folding the laundry, you know!”
It is therefore not surprising if it sometimes becomes too much for you. That you would like to put the world on pause and hide in a quiet corner. Your brain has to process so many stimuli at the same time that it becomes exhausted. And so are you.
Do you find yourself getting overstimulated? Then switch back in time. Slow down, avoid unnecessary stimuli and give your brain a rest.
How? Below are things you can do when overstimulation is lurking.
1. Stop Multitasking
Multitasking obviously seems to be the solution for our busy lifestyle, but the question is whether it really benefits you. You lack focus, you inhibit your productivity and you receive twice as many stimuli at the same time.
If you become overstimulated , stopping multitasking is one of the first things you can do to relax. So don’t fold the laundry and listen to a podcast at the same time. Don’t answer apps while you’re cooking.
Do one thing at a time. That will take some getting used to. Suddenly you are much more focused on a task and you notice things that you have never noticed before. You can feel the different textures of the laundry you fold. You smell the scents of the food you make.
Single-tasking provides peace of mind – quite nice.
2. Relax in nature
Go into nature to switch off completely. Preferably without podcast or music in your ears. There is always a piece of nature to be found somewhere nearby. Drive, bike or walk there, turn off the notifications on your phone and walk, run or sit.
It doesn’t matter what you do as long as you are aware of the nature around you. From the smell of the trees, the sound of chirping birds and the feeling of the fresh wind or the warm sunbeams on your skin.
A natural environment has a calming effect – especially if you don’t lose your attention in your smartphone and all the notifications.
3. Turn off notifications on your phone
Speaking of turning off notifications: you can also turn them off at other times. Just, during the day. Those reports that are pouring in in the meantime? You can watch it when it suits you. Your phone does not determine your schedule, you determine it.
If people really need you, they just call. By saving up viewing your notifications , you can be more in the here and now with your attention at other times.
4. Limit your screen time
There are things you can do to limit your screen time. For example, you can set a limit for the daily use of certain apps or you can indicate that your phone no longer displays notifications between certain times.
My phone jumps to do not disturb at 9pm in the evening. No more apps or other notifications coming in. If I really need to do something on my phone, I can, but scrolling through Instagram for a while (read: always way too long) is a lot less attractive.
The result: I go to bed earlier or grab a book. A lot less stimulation, and that’s exactly what I need before going to sleep.
5. Schedule free space in your calendar
One swears by an overcrowded agenda and the other gets anxious at the sight of multiple appointments in the weekend. Do you – like me – belong to the latter group? Then make conscious choices.
Don’t overcrowd your days. Slide appointments to suit you better. After all, you know that you don’t get any more fun when you get overstimulated. You sleep worse, become crankier and concentrate less well. It’s no use to anyone.
Make sure you have enough free space in your agenda. Space to do what you like and what calms you down.
The best way for me to avoid being overstimulated is to go for a run. If I do that on time, then you can do it with music. But without notifications. Just feel the music, nature and my footsteps that I put on the ground.
Let me and my team know if you like this blog. See you soon again.
