Sensory Aids Thread

[KurtAurelius]

Hiya, (I intially included neurodivergent in the title but I felt that it wasn’t inclusive, we all have sensory needs no matter if we have ADHD or Autism)

I have been making the effort to try improve my day to day living,
I have come to the conclusion that I have spent so much time in my life being overstimulated/under stimulated,
Being very uncomfortable, and soothing the symptoms rather than the cause of my discomfort

My current efforts have involved bringing this to light in a positive rather than negative way,

Taking small steps and joining some dots together in my journalling,

So far I’ve found or observed to help ..

Ambient sound or music is very calming to myself,

Baggy clothing with the “right” texture is calming and has the weighted effect,

Having pillows or similar when needing to sit can help when I feel uncomfortable ( I have this issue where I fold over and it hurts my ribs, having a pillow to hold makes this almost not a issue)

Having “correct lighting” for me would be natural light, or warm dim coloured lights and candles makes me feel far more relaxed.

Smells can help, it is expensive at the frequency I consume it but incense is very lush,

Baths instead of showers- a major sensory win,

Fresh Air after waking up, makes me feel more clear and less bunged up.

Stretching + Light Weight Strict Compound Movements, makes my body feel far more comfortable.

Hot drinks- warm me up and clear me up.

Temperature regulation- extremely important especially for say bedtime.

This is what I’ve got but I am very interested if anyone has anything to share, something I’m trying to build on, rather than continue neglecting..

 

[streaM Freak]

@KurtAurelius , what would you do if in a public setting? The more time I spend out of public (which I prefer), the harder it is to adjust to the outside commotion.

And also, when having to be patient (not necessarily in public), like waiting for something that will require your complete attention but we don't know exactly what time it starts?

Things like that are hard for me to navigate. Having my thought process abruptly interrupted or some other obstruction.

It's hard for me to shut my brain off to meditate when I know I might have to pop off at any given time. Maybe a good example of this would be like waiting to be called in to some sort of obligation that only starts when other unforseen events coincide

 

[KurtAurelius]

@KurtAurelius , what would you do if in a public setting? The more time I spend out of public (which I prefer), the harder it is to adjust to the outside commotion.

And also, when having to be patient (not necessarily in public), like waiting for something that will require your complete attention but we don't know exactly what time it starts?

Things like that are hard for me to navigate. Having my thought process abruptly interrupted or some other obstruction.

It's hard for me to shut my brain off to meditate when I know I might have to pop off at any given time. Maybe a good example of this would be like waiting to be called in to some sort of obligation that only starts when other unforseen events coincide

A good point as oft this is the cause of most overload..

I usually wear sunglasses, and depending on how I’m feeling, ear buds or noise cancelling head phones, but at certain times it’s preferred to be able to hear what’s going on around you,

I do suffer from light sensitivity but the glasses are more a mask, and it makes me feel more comfortable and not having to worry about people seeing my facial expressions etc.

I also walk as fast as humanly possible, turning it into a game of exercise of sorts, me turning it into like a time based objective even if it doesn’t require it, it makes it feel almost fun then how horrible it is to be outside. But this is my default unless my Methylphenidate is really kicking, I’ve noticed how I basically instantly go into fight or flight when I’m outside.

With being patient without any certainty of the exact time, I personally have the solace of my planning list, and my journal to provide me some stimulus.

My planning list will often have things I need to do via booking things or texting people, and being in this horrible waiting mode provides me the motivation to take care of jobs I’ve been procrastinating for ages,

Another thing for me, is having space to pace, or my favourite sitting in a Slav squat, sitting a Slav squat has that weighted effect, it feels good and makes me feel far more comfortable if pacing is not a option. But I understand that Slav squatting will likely get you far more weirdness than pacing in some contexts.

I completely understand having your thought process interrupted, it’s incredibly painful, I will have found something really useful to do while waiting and before I know it abruptly ends immediately, my only mitigation will do some more light work. I.e instead of me opening up one of my novel projects, I will just journal instead,

For doing a meditation and trying to stay aware, I’ve found more success in breath work, seeing if I can find my way into a more relaxing introspection rather than reaching a more flow or mindful state. Easier said than done.

I used to also bring my pack of tarot and shuffle them, but I’ve not felt like it, just because tarot have plenty of conditions, I was pulled to carry them with me and not draw them but just shuffle them, but then I was pulled to put them down.

I am going to find something else that’s similar, I love chewing gum but it apparently has a crazy amount of micro plastics. I’m thinking I might get a mini resistance band as I find weighted or resistance based things feel the best.

 

[streaM Freak]

Thats really helpful. Never heard of the Slav squat. After trying it, I feel it can help with having something to focus on too (balance). And what you said about having activities that are easy to pick up and put down for times where one is waiting or expecting something unexpected.

Something I do sometimes in public is swaying my body back and forth. Pacing I do too. I don't like staring at my phone if I have nothing to do in public. As much as I don't necessarily enjoy public, I prefer being aware of my surroundings.

Often times my day is going perfectly fine, but people sense that I'm in a negative state of mind, which I usually am not, and then they take it personally and start acting negatively on response, which then makes me question them, ect ect ect. So what I do now is I consciously make a gentle smile, mostly with the eyes. I've noticed that most of people's discomfort with me comes from my eyes.

And when I show some vulnerability people are less intimidated.

 

[KurtAurelius]

Thats really helpful. Never heard of the Slav squat. After trying it, I feel it can help with having something to focus on too (balance). And what you said about having activities that are easy to pick up and put down for times where one is waiting or expecting something unexpected.

Something I do sometimes in public is swaying my body back and forth. Pacing I do too. I don't like staring at my phone if I have nothing to do in public. As much as I don't necessarily enjoy public, I prefer being aware of my surroundings.

Often times my day is going perfectly fine, but people sense that I'm in a negative state of mind, which I usually am not, and then they take it personally and start acting negatively on response, which then makes me question them, ect ect ect. So what I do now is I consciously make a gentle smile, mostly with the eyes. I've noticed that most of people's discomfort with me comes from my eyes.

And when I show some vulnerability people are less intimidated.

I second this on the smiling, it 90% of the time makes me feel better and relaxed too, it’s only when I’m really dysregulated I find it hard and I get all paranoid etc.

Smiling and kindness can give that lift as cliche as it sounds, makes it easier to keep an open body language that’s approachable.

The reaction is natural rather than constructing it, I’ll leave the house almost fixing up my body language artificially (unless I’m unwell) but if a pass someone by with a smile, I’ll find my tension smoothed, my head doesn’t require effort to hold up, my breath steadies and draws coolly.

(Hippy Energy Transference shit, but there’s logical scientific evidence I’m sure to my very idealistic phrasing)

Being more aware of your surroundings is good for being less shocked by transitions, obviously certain things can’t be expected no matter what, but it’s about the right time and place I find.

Waiting in a drab, lifeless waiting room- more often I’ll be using something else, say if outside I’ll immerse more into the environment, with a careful awareness of how much I am say “pushing myself” with exposing to any discomfort. Dose is the poison and la de da.