06/10/2024
Noise bothers people more when stressed or overstimulated. So, parenting can be intense, especially for introverts and highly sensitive people. The high energy of children playing or running around in the house can only add to these feelings. What can we do before we lose our cool?
Look around and isolate your biggest concerns. Is it the visual clutter that is bothering you the most or the noise around you that is over-stimulating? Take an inventory as you look around you in the moment as to what your biggest culprits are.
If it is visual clutter, find a way to make the biggest difference for yourself in the quickest way possible. This might mean to quickly move everything off the kitchen table for yourself–even if it is just the table that makes the difference. If this means vacuuming so that the house feels cleaner, quicker, do it. The white noise of the vacuum might also help in several ways.
If sound makes you feel like you can’t ‘see straight,’ first turn off extra sources of noise like the radio, TV, or other electronics. Try going outside or opening a window. Focus on your breathing, even if only for a few moments. Nature has a way of rebalancing us.
Also, connect to those in your inner circle to help keep you in balance. Those closest to you, understand you the most, and can help provide needed support. It might be just reassurance that you are doing a good job as a parent. But they can also help give you a longer pause to take some time for yourself. Modeling how to take care of yourself is important for your children to see.
Being a highly sensitive person as a parent can provide some benefits. This sixth sense gives you the ability to tune in to your child’s needs easily, especially when they are struggling. As you have experienced feeling overwhelmed emotionally, you can connect with your child and help them understand and help them find ways to regulate. This connection can help give your child space and time to sort through their feelings.
References:
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-therapist-mommy/202102/what-it-s-parent-highly-sensitive-person
https://hellopostpartum.com/highly-sensitive-mother/
https://ericalayne.co/can-introverted-moms-love-motherhood/
