Am I just overstimulated?
Sometimes I wonder why my brain feels like it’s spinning, even when nothing “bad” is happening. The world isn’t falling apart, yet I feel restless, drained, and on edge all the time. That’s when I have to stop and ask myself: Am I overstimulated? Overstimulation happens when our senses- sight, sound, touch, even thoughts are taking in too much at once. Think about the constant noise of city streets, the endless scrolling on social media, or the nonstop notifications from our phones. Even things that seem small add up. Bright lights, crowded spaces, loud conversations, or juggling too many tasks can push our nervous system into overdrive.
When we’re overstimulated, it can show up in different ways. Some people feel anxious or irritable. Others feel shut down, like their brain gone fuzzy. For me, it often feels like I can’t focus on one thing because everything is fighting for my attention. My chest feels tight, and my patience runs thin. It’s not always obvious that the root cause is sensory overload, but that’s exactly what it is.
The tricky part is that our world doesn’t slow down. Screens, schedules, and responsibilities keep moving. That’s why it’s so easy to miss the signs of overstimulation while we hit a breaking point. The best way to catch it earlier is by tuning in to your body. Are you clenching your jaw? Is your heart racing for no reason? Do normal sounds suddenly feel too loud? Those are all little warning signs. So, what can we do about it? Sometimes the answer is simple, step away. Turn down the volume. Put your phone in another room. Take a short walk outside. Close your eyes and breathe slowly until your mind calms down. Other times, it’s about making lifestyle changes, setting limits on screen time, creating calmer spaces in your home, or learning how to say no when too much is being asked of you.
Asking “am I overstimulated?” is really asking, “do I need a break?” Most of the time, the answer is yes. And giving yourself that pause just means you are aware. It means you are listening to yourself instead of pushing past your limits. The world is loud, busy, and always demanding. But we don’t always have to match its pace. Sometimes the strongest thing we can do is sloe down, breathe, and step back until life feels a little lighter again.
