12/02/2025
Are Our Sensory Systems Overloaded?
I was sitting in the car earlier, watching my husband drive, and I had a moment of realisation. He wasn’t just driving—he was processing an overwhelming amount of information all at once.
• Reading road signs and markings
• Watching other vehicles approach from different directions
• Listening to the radio
• Engaging with the kids talking in the backseat
• and there were 3 sets of perfume and aftershave fighting it out for the prize for the strongest smell in a very small car.
All while coordinating his hands and feet to steer, accelerate, and brake
It got me thinking—are we all just constantly overwhelmed by sensory input? Is this why so many children (and adults) are struggling more with sensory challenges than ever before?
Are We Living in a Sensory Storm?
When I was a child, the world was simpler. Sure, there were still sights, sounds, and smells, but life wasn’t as constant in its demands. There weren’t screens everywhere, notifications pinging at us, flashing LED lights in every shop, background music in every store, and an expectation to be always on.
I left a shop earlier because of this exact problem. The bright lights, the crowded aisles, the noise of people talking at me, the pressure to make a quick decision about a pair of shoes—it was too much. My brain just shut down. And I’m an adult with years of experience filtering things out. Imagine what this feels like for a child who hasn’t yet developed those coping strategies.
Why Are Sensory Issues Increasing?
It’s no surprise that sensory processing issues seem to be more common in young people. It’s not that children today are somehow “weaker” or “less capable”—it’s that the world they’re growing up in is drastically different from the one we knew.
Their developing brains are having to process:
• Screens everywhere—phones, tablets, computers, smartboards, and televisions
• Bright, artificial lights in classrooms, shopping centers, and even bedrooms
• More structured and scheduled activities with less downtime for decompression
• Constant noise from traffic, electronics, and conversations
• Social pressure to respond quickly, whether online or in person
Our sensory systems aren’t evolving fast enough to keep up with how much we’re asking them to process. We’re essentially living in a world designed for constant stimulation, and some brains (especially neurodivergent ones) find it incredibly difficult to filter out the excess.
What Can We Do?
1. Reduce the Noise – Give kids (and ourselves) breaks from sensory overload. Quiet time, time in nature, and reducing screen exposure can all help.
2. Create Sensory-Friendly Spaces – At home and in schools, we can use softer lighting, reduce clutter, and provide quiet corners where kids can self-regulate.
3. Acknowledge the Overload – Instead of pushing through discomfort, recognise when a situation is overwhelming and allow yourself (or your child) to step away.
4. Advocate for Change – Schools, workplaces, and public spaces can be more mindful of sensory needs. More quiet areas, fewer artificial scents, and less unnecessary background noise would help many people function better.
Sensory overload isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a real and growing issue. Maybe instead of expecting people to tough it out, we should be asking how we can design environments that work with our sensory systems instead of overwhelming them.
