I personally have times when I get overstimulated by work. This could be due to the task being too big for me i the moment, thus making me feel overwhelmed, or focusing on one task for a long time. Many people who are neurodivergent deal with overstimulation.
The definition of overstimulation from Very Well Mind states that “Overstimulation is what happens when there’s too much sensory input for your brain to handle. It can make you feel overwhelmed, irritable, and uncomfortable.” Some people may have other feelings or might be overstimulated by noise, smell, touch, and more.
Personally, I feel like when my brain is very foggy, noise and sometimes visuals become too much for me. I also feel like I have an itch in my brain and in my body. This can be annoying for me when I am trying to do homework or a test. I have an accommodation where I can take a break during a test and take a walk in the building I am in. I find that very helpful to let my brain rest and to leave my work.
I think sometimes people think technology can aid with overstimulation and use it as a tool to help students or kids. However, technology can trigger overstimulation. It can be due to the screen, potential noise from a computer or the fact that there is too much information to be absorbed on their device.
It is fantastic when teachers use technology to help students with learning disabilites but it can be too much for students sometimes. Teachers should avoid technology with overstimulated students. Additonally, younger students will have trouble vocalizing how they feel. Teachers must recognize when students are struggling.
Instead of technology try these helpful methods for relaxing your brain. Going for a walk or finding a change of environment has worked really well for me and others. Fresh air, similarly, can work to calm the nerves and an overactive brain. You can also do something that stimulates a sense, like having a snack or using relaxing essential oils, to distract from your cluttered thoughts. If the space you’re in is loud, find another location or try noise cancelling headphones.
Works Cited:
Gupta, Sanjana. “Feeling Overwhelmed: Symptoms, Causes, and Coping.” Verywell Mind, Verywell Mind, 23 June 2022, https://www.verywellmind.com/feeling-overwhelmed-symptoms-causes-and-coping-5425548.
Hi Emily,
I also deal with overstimulation on a regular basis. I have this horrible tendency to look at all of my projects at once which usually results in a mild freak out lol. The beginning of the semester is the hardest for me. However, I try to remind myself to look at my tasks one at a time and in the order in which they are due. Often, I’ll make a list which really helps me to compartmentalize my workload. Thanks for sharing!