Learn practical, easy-to-apply tips for managing ADHD-related sensory overload and reduce overstimulation in daily life.
Sensory Processing Tips: Practical Ways to Manage Overload and Stay Calm
When loud noises, bright lights, or even certain fabrics feel unbearable, you’re not just being sensitive—you’re experiencing sensory processing, how your brain receives, organizes, and responds to information from your senses. Also known as sensory integration, it’s a real neurological process that affects how you experience the world—and when it’s off balance, everyday situations can become overwhelming. Many women, especially those dealing with hormonal shifts, chronic stress, or conditions like ADHD or autism, report sudden spikes in sensory sensitivity. It’s not in your head. It’s your nervous system firing on all cylinders when it shouldn’t.
Sensory overload, the point where too much input overwhelms your brain’s ability to filter, shows up in different ways: flinching at a whisper, feeling dizzy in fluorescent lighting, or needing to leave a crowded store mid-shop. These aren’t quirks—they’re signals. And the good news? Coping strategies, simple, science-backed habits that help your brain reset can make a huge difference. Think of them like a mental reset button you can press anytime, anywhere.
Look at the posts here. You’ll find real-world advice from women who’ve learned how to manage sensory triggers through daily routines. Some use noise-canceling headphones to survive commuting. Others swap out scratchy clothes for soft, seamless fabrics. One woman uses weighted blankets to calm her nervous system after a long day. Another keeps a small vial of lavender oil in her purse to ground herself during panic moments. These aren’t fancy solutions—they’re practical, low-cost, and doable.
You don’t need to fix everything at once. Start with one trigger—maybe it’s the hum of the fridge, or the feel of tags on your shirt. Reduce it. Replace it. Block it. Build from there. The goal isn’t to avoid the world, but to take back control of how you experience it. What works for one person might not work for you, and that’s okay. This collection gives you options, not rules.
These tips aren’t about being ‘fixed.’ They’re about being understood. Whether you’re managing postpartum sensitivity, menopause-related changes, or just feeling worn down by a noisy, fast-paced life, you’re not alone. The strategies here come from women who’ve been stuck in the same cycle—and found a way out. You will too.