Identifying Sensory Overload and Overstimulation in Everyday Life.
It’s 10:03am and already I feel like I need a wee lie down 😴.
I’m en route to the BSLM Annual Conference in Brighton—something I’ve been looking forward to for a whole year. I was up at my usual time, and unusually for me, I’d even done a bit of pre-packing. I was “nervous-excited.” My inner Tigger was bouncing.
In the cab to the airport, I was having a right good blether with the driver. People who know me would say I was Lozza on Fire. I felt like a one-woman meet-and-greet team until I hit the departure lounge. I was on overly good form—a public display of “me-ness.”
But navigating an airport is a test of patience and sensory tolerance. The overstimulation crept in and spilled into judgement:
“Could that person go any slower?”
“Could that person be any louder—or drunker?”
“Ah, the frequent flyer showing us all how it’s done…”
And then there’s that vulnerable moment of hoping your jeans won’t fall down after removing your belt at security.
That’s when it hit me: I was exhausting myself. It was all nervous energy.
So I popped on my headphones, played some soothing music, and reminded myself to calm down. The flight was already delayed an hour. This was going to be a long day. I needed to pace.
Even Joyful Things Can Be Stressful
I’ve noticed I often feel emotionally drained after days when I’ve had to “up my game.” Even when the event is something I enjoy—like this conference—there’s a cost. It’s a mix of overstimulation and nerves.
I know I’ll love connecting with new people, but I also know it will spend my energy. If I don’t balance this, I risk running on empty.
So, How Am I Managing It?
- I recognised it by 10:25am. Awareness is everything.
- Headphones on. Even just to reduce background airplane noise.
- Mindful focus. One step at a time.
- My trip, my way. This takes courage. I’m giving myself permission to be flexible with boundaries and engagements over the next three days.
- Oxygen mask on first. On flights and in life.
- Anticipatory planning. I hadn’t overcommitted to conference events (prioritised sleep over social life) but I hadn’t anticipated the sensory toll of airport travel. I won’t miss that next time.
What are your pressure points in the day/week ahead? What will use your energy—for good or for depletion? - Pratyahara – sense withdrawal.
In His Dark Materials, one of my favourite books, the character Will has a skill: he can blend into the background, hiding in plain sight. I need to do the reverse—make the environment less stimulating. In yoga, we call this pratyahara—withdrawing from the senses to quieten the noise and focus inward.
Even after my headphones broke, I was able to mask down and sit quietly, mindfully. I didn’t tap into the lives around me. I just was.
Love You: Tap Into Your Pressure Points. Even in fun times, it’s worth checking in with your energy. What’s fuelling you? What’s draining you? Balance and conserve where you can 🙏🏼.
Love you: Health and Well-being with Lorraine 