How Highly Sensitive People Can Stop Feeling Overwhelmed by the Noise and Energy of Parenting

It is imperative to know that being a highly sensitive person is more than being sensitively flimsy or allowing one's feelings to be hurt easily. On the other hand, it is noteworthy that while parenting is a difficult journey for every individual, the continuous noise, pandemonium, and poignant intensity can feel particularly irresistible to the Highly Sensitive People (HSP). High sensitivity is rather an integral part of the regular gamut of human emotions which is never a diagnosis, and it has no cure. 15 to 20 percent of the entire population of the world is affected, irrespective of age, sex, ethnic group, or race.

These parts of the populace are intensely familiar with their environment and process stimuli more intensely than others. As sensitivity is an endowment in various ways, it can make the thunderous, volatile, and sensitively charged world of parenting look difficult. But the good news is that highly sensitive people cannot just survive but flourish as parents, with the right tactics.

Understanding the Overwhelm

Understanding why parenting can be quite devastating for highly sensitive people before looking at the ways out is imperative. Overwhelming is the major problem faced by Highly Sensitive Parents. HSPs lose their temper and get annoyed with their kids more easily due to over-stimulation. This will subsequently result in guiltiness, and then overcompensation, and more stimulation as a result of our perfectionist personality.

A woman who happened to be in a community of Highly Sensitive Parents described her experiences with overwhelm thus:

She claimed that overwhelm is a result of different toys that full everywhere. She stated further that there were loud noises resulting from kids playing and children kept asking her the same question time without numbers. Kids kept shouting mom! Mom! Moreover, she is always clawed at by young people, who want her attention and need to be held urgently, She said that even as she is wet and sweaty, she is exhausted with the odors and accidents resulting from potty training, and needs to bathe a kid who is not cooperating, etc, ….. She continued by saying that she discovered that much of her overstimulation emanated from just touching more than she would have to listen to more noise than she would like. This is just as a result of parenting, she concluded.

Tips for Managing Overwhelm by Highly Sensitive People

The brain differences of Highly Sensitive People make them more prone to overwhelm. Joseph A. Annibali is a psychiatrist however pointed out what HSPs can do when overwhelmed.

You have a complex and rich inner life if you are an HSP. As a result, there is a tendency for you to be overwhelmed, unlike those who are not highly sensitive. Loud noises, energy-sapping works, huge crowds, bright lights, strong smells, and coarse fabrics might easily get you overwhelmed, stated Annibali.

A psychotherapist, Jean Fitzpatrick, LP is an expert in collaborating with highly sensitive people (HSPs). He said that HSPs are overwhelmed due to more information they process as parents and from their environment than other people do.

It is quite imperative for highly sensitive people, particularly parents to take good care of themselves and be equipped with techniques they can use when overwhelmed because over-stimulation can be challenging.

Here are suggestions and tips for HSPs to overcome overwhelm:

1. Give Yourself Enough Time

According to Fitzpatrick, pacing yourself and allowing sufficient time for travel and tasks to avoid being forced to rush will go a long way in helping highly sensitive people overcome being overwhelmed. For example, if you have any task ahead have cause to travel, you can either set a longer deadline or wake up very early. Fitzpatrick warned that you should not follow the bandwagon and if you do, overwhelming will set in. This is because as HSP, you process more extensively than those who are non-sensitive.

On the other hand, constantly tune into your inner being by paying attention to your body, and mind, and meet certain needs.

2. Be Specific and Unambiguous

If you don't want your brain to be in overdrive when faced with different tasks as a compassionate person, you must be super specific by looking at your to-do-list from different angles and grouping it under 'those urgent things you need to do' and things you don't need to do.' After that, map out the next solid steps you want to follow. Rewrite tasks so that you won't have much to worry or think about.

3. Take Pleasure in Downtime

Your downtime may be equated to a palate purifier at a sushi or wine-tasting bar. Highly sensitive people frequently benefit immensely from enjoying three hours of unrestricted alone time to give you rest from overwhelm as a highly sensitive person for you to feel recharged and prepared to take pleasure in new ones. HSPs can be irritable and depleted in the absence of downtime. Journaling, relaxing at a park, taking a walk, listening to classical music, reading a book, and filling a coloring book or any activity that can help you calm down are all good examples of downtime.

4. Turn to Healthy Distractions

Vince Favilla, a psychology professor and an HSP recommends finding healthy distractions for all highly sensitive people who are feeling overwhelmed. This may include watching a funny movie or spending judicious time with someone you love. Your unconscious brain can work out solutions to whatever problem you have as you relax.

5. Embrace Meditation

Practice meditation whenever you are overwhelmed. Put your to-do list on hold for at least five minutes to take time to meditate when it gets piled up, or when your environment is overstimulating. At this point, you can listen to white noise, and rain, close your eyes, or even wear your headphones. Any of these will give you the mental rest needed.

6. Build a Calm Atmosphere

Creating a tranquil environment or calming physical space is one sure way to ease overwhelm.

Here's how to create a calm environment:

1. Setting up a very quiet space by a corner of your house as a tranquil retreat free from noise and toys. This quiet place is a great place for you and your kids to calm down.

2. Use white noise equipment or noise-eradicating headphones to drown out overwhelming sounds.

3. Create a neat and well-organized space to make you calm. In addition, allow your children to take part in daily clean-up to avoid chaos.

7. Manage Energy Levels

As parenting needs a lot of energy, highly sensitive people must be deliberate about preserving theirs.

How to do this:

1. Say 'No' to some tasks. When you decline needless commitments, you can conserve your energy.

2. Entrust certain assignments. Turn to your friends, family members, or your partner for the necessary help you need. Avoid doing all tasks alone.

3. Exercise regular breaks to allow you to recharge at least for a minute. You can go out to enjoy the fresh air, take your sit in one quiet room for your caregiver or partner to be in charge.

8. Hook Up with Your Kid in Peaceful Ways

Parenting as a highly sensitive person does not have to be constantly overwhelming. As a result, center your attention on low-stimulation tasks that let you bond with your kid without draining out your energy.

1. Do quiet tasks like drawing, reading, or solving puzzles with your kids to calm both of you.

2. Utilize mild parenting techniques by focusing on connection and understanding instead of punishment to reduce stress and conflict.

3. Engage in active through understanding and empathy without having to absorb the emotions of your child.

Final Thoughts

Bear in mind that to be a highly sensitive person is not a disease. Nevertheless, parenting as HSPs has its ups and downs but it is another chance to bring inventiveness, empathy, and relationship to your family. Managing your energy levels, hooking up with your kids in peaceful ways, building a calm environment, embracing meditation, turning to healthy distractions, taking pleasure in downtime, and giving yourself plenty of time can make you reduce overwhelm and have joyful parenting. Bear in mind that your gift of sensitivity is not only for you but also for your kids. You can flourish as a highly sensitive parent and build a nurturing, affectionate home for your family, with the right tactics.