A common Brain Injury Symptom is the feeling of Overstimulation and Overwhelm.
When you are living with brain injury, anything and everything can become overwhelming.
Your own home, doing laundry or cleaning, being on screens, exercising, watching tv, reading, grocery stores, restaurants, movie theaters, parties and get togethers with family & friends, malls, parks... the list goes on and on.
If this is your reality, know that you are not alone in this feeling! Overstimulation is a reality for most of us living with brain injury.
In my own journey with brain injury, that overwhelming feeling is one of the worst things and it’s so frustrating.
Strategies
Here are some simple things I’ve found that help:
- schedule in breaks / rest time before, after, or during an overwhelming activity
- learning your limits when it comes to activities around the house
- being okay with stepping out of a noisy environment
- being okay with saying NO to going to an overwhelming activity or to social situations (even virtually!!!)
- preparing ahead of time when you know you’ll enter into an overwhelming environment (lists, maps, schedule, etc. the more you can find out ahead of time the better!)
- making it known to the people with you that this can happen
- drinking enough water
- eating nutritional meals
- getting enough sleep
Do any of these resonate with you? I hope this can be some encouragement.
What do you do when you become overwhelmed?
Comment and let us know!
Most of all, know that you are NOT ALONE in this.
There is always hope!
-Cristabelle
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