Being An Overstimulated Mom Sucks Here’s How To Deal

Most moms feel overstimulated from time to time. It pretty much comes with the territory. But that doesn’t mean you should feel overstimulated all the time! In this blog we’ll explore how to deal with being an overstimulated mom.

Honestly, being an overstimulated mom sucks! But it also seems inevitable these days. From the noise of kids playing (or arguing) to the endless to-do list running through your mind, it’s no wonder many moms find themselves feeling overstimulated. While some days are going to be better than others, you’re definitely going to have days where you feel worse and more overstimulated than other days. This could be for a multitude of reasons and those reasons vary depending on the mom.

In this blog, we’ll talk about the signs to look out for indicating your overstimulated, why you feel overstimulated so often, and 11 practical tips to deal with it all! The number one thing to remember though is this: You shouldn’t feel overstimulated all the time and you don’t need to. You can thrive and have more better days, enjoying this time with your kids. Keep reading to learn how!

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What Does Overstimulated Mean?

Being overstimulated refers to a state where your senses and mind are overwhelmed by too much input at once. For moms, this can be due to the constant demands of children, household responsibilities, and the need to multitask. It’s when the noise, chaos, and clutter of daily life become so intense that you feel like your brain is short-circuiting. Ever wonder why the TV sounds too loud or your kids chewing makes you want to scream? That’s overstimulation at it’s best.🙃

Overstimulation isn’t just about noise though —it’s also about the mental load you’re carrying. The endless to-do lists, worries, and expectations can create a sensory overload that leaves you feeling drained, anxious, and irritable. The good news is, there are ways to work through these feelings so keep reading!

8 Signs You’re An Overstimulated Mom

If you’re unsure whether you’re dealing with overstimulation, here are some signs to look out for. You might experience many of these or just a couple. If any of these feelings are taking over your life, then you’re probably feeling overstimulated.

Irritability:

Small things that wouldn’t normally bother you feel unbearable. These could be things like your kids reaching out for a hug, your husband talking, or some cluttered toys in your living room. It may sound silly to think about, but sometimes the smallest things can set you off.

Mental Fatigue:

You feel mentally exhausted, even after a full night’s sleep. You should feel refreshed when you wake up, especially once your kids are sleeping through the night.

Physical Discomfort:

You may experience headaches, tension in your muscles, or a general sense of unease. Are your shoulders up to your ears? Or maybe your jaw is tense. Both are signs you’re feeling overstimulated.

Difficulty Concentrating:

It’s hard to focus on tasks, and you may find yourself easily distracted. You may even be super forgetful, or having brain fog.

Emotional Overwhelm:

You feel like you’re on the edge of tears or a breakdown, even if nothing significant has happened.

Desire for Isolation:

You crave alone time and feel like you need to escape from everyone and everything.

Increased Anxiety:

Your mind races with worries and thoughts, making it hard to relax. Some anxiety is normal, but if it’s completely taking over your daily life, it’s not normal.

Sensory Sensitivity:

Sounds, lights, and even physical touch can feel too intense or irritating.

Why You Feel Overstimulated So Often

The overstimulation you experience isn’t just in your head, mama. It’s a result of the unique pressures and demands that come with being a mom, especially in our society today. Here’s why it happens so often:

Constant Multitasking: Juggling multiple tasks at once can overload your brain, leading to overstimulation.

Lack of Downtime: Moms often put everyone else’s needs first, leaving little time for themselves to unwind.

Emotional Labor: The mental load of managing a household and family adds to your stress, even if you’re not physically busy.

Sleep Deprivation: Lack of quality sleep can make you more sensitive to stimuli and less able to cope with stress.

High Expectations: Societal and self-imposed expectations of being the “perfect mom” can create additional pressure.

Unpredictable Routine: Kids are unpredictable, and the lack of a stable routine can leave you feeling frazzled.

Overcommitment: Saying yes to too many things—whether it’s social events, volunteer work, or extra responsibilities—can stretch you too thin.

Sensory Overload: The everyday noise, clutter, and chaos of a household can easily overwhelm your senses.

11 Simple Tips To Deal With Being An Overstimulated Mom

Feeling overstimulated doesn’t have to be your norm! Here are 11 practical tips to help you manage it all so you can start feeling better.

1. Prioritize Downtime

Carve out time each day to relax, even if it’s just 10-15 minutes of quiet. Use this time to do something that calms you, like reading, meditating, or taking a bath. I highly recommend a solid bedtime routine for your kids to ensure they’re in bed by 8 PM, giving you plenty of time for yourself.

2. Limit Multitasking

Focus on one task at a time whenever possible. Break tasks into smaller steps, and tackle them one by one to reduce mental overload. Writing down everything you need to do will help you remember everything while also allowing you to do one thing at a time.

3. Set Boundaries

Learn to say no to additional responsibilities that don’t serve you or your family. Protect your time and energy by setting clear boundaries. This means with your outside family and with your kids! It’s ok to ask your kids to wait a minute while you eat a hot breakfast and it’s ok to say no to your parents if you don’t want them to come over at a certain time. Boundaries are healthy and helpful!

4. Create a Calm Environment

Declutter your living space to reduce visual and sensory overload. Consider creating a designated “quiet zone” in your home where you can retreat when you need a break. Set up times throughout the day to keep everything cleaned up and tidied as well. If you’re cleaning up smaller messes throughout the day, you’re more likely to keep your home decluttered.

5. Practice Deep Breathing

When you feel very overwhelmed, stop what you’re doing and take deep, slow breaths to calm your nervous system. Breathing exercises can help reset your mind and body. You’re less likely to snap at your kids when you do this and it will help keep everyone more calm.

6. Incorporate Sensory Breaks

Throughout the day, take short breaks to do something soothing for your senses. This includes things like listening to calming music, lighting a scented candle, or stepping outside for fresh air. These simple things can be part of a self care routine to help you fill up your cup!

7. Get Enough Sleep

I know it can be hard to get sleep when you have a baby, but you can still get rest. Prioritize sleep by creating a bedtime routine that helps you wind down and get to bed by a decent time. You can even try a short nap during the day to help reduce being and overstimulated mom.

8. Connect with Nature

Spending time outdoors can be incredibly grounding! It’s important to get outside and it’s good for you and your kids. So, take a walk in the park, sit in your backyard, or simply open a window to let in some fresh air and feel the sunshine on your face.

9. Seek Support

Don’t be afraid to ask for help if you’re really struggling! Whether it’s your husband/partner, a friend, or a family member, lean on your support system when you need a break. While anxiety can be normal, if your anxiety levels are really interfering with your day-to-day life, you might want to seek support from a medical professional. Remember asking for help from anyone is not a sign of weakness, it’s actually really brave!

10. Practice Mindfulness

Engage in mindfulness practices, like meditation or yoga, to help center your thoughts and reduce mental clutter. Getting just a little bit of exercise/movement for 10-15 minutes a day can help ease your mind and the tension in your body, helping you feel better overall.

11. Limit Screen Time

This is a big one! Excessive screen time, especially on social media, can contribute to sensory overload. Set limits on your device usage and take regular breaks from screens. Our brain is not meant to digest so much outside information from places like social media and even the news. Taking breaks from any kind of media outlet is essential for relieving your overstimulation.

Conclusion

Being an overstimulated mom is tough! It’s not fun, and while it can be normal from time to time, it doesn’t have to be your everyday reality! By recognizing the signs of overstimulation and taking proactive steps to manage it, you can regain control and create a more balanced, peaceful life for yourself and your family. Remember, it’s okay to prioritize your well-being, you deserve it. Taking care of yourself, is taking care of your family! You’ve got this mama!

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