Understimulation and Overstimulation
Each of us strives to maintain an optimal stimulus level. When we are under- stimulated, we are bored and our minds seek additional stimuli in order for us to regain comfort. For example, when sitting in a doctor’s or dentist’s waiting room, we will probably read an available magazine (no matter how old!) unless we have had the foresight to bring our own reading material. When we are overstimulated, on the other hand, we are excited. Our minds work to dissipate the overstimulation by repeatedly thinking about it until its novelty wanes. If we have seen a great movie, for instance, we tend to replay the most dramatic scenes in our minds; and when we receive a piece of good news, we enjoy savoring it. Unfortunately, the mental apparatus needs to replay unpleasant stimuli, as well. Our minds will dwell on insults we have received, and agonize over faux pas we have made. Though distressing, these drawn-out thinking processes are necessary in order to put the upsetting stimulus to rest.
What level of stimulation provides the greatest comfort?
This varies markedly from one person to the next, and appears to be genetically determined. Studies have shown that babies who are highly excitable at birth continue to be sensitive as they grow up, while babies who are placid remain easygoing as they develop.
People Tend Not to Know Their Sensitivity Level
People who are more sensitive are often unaware that they are; they assume that others feel the same way that they do. Likewise, those who are easygoing may assume that their state is the natural one, and view sensitive people as “over-reacting” to situations.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Being Oversensitive
Being highly sensitive has its pluses as well as some minuses. Those who are highly sensitive can feel pleasures more intensely, and because of their ability to discriminate between small differences, can better appreciate subtleties and complexities. But they will be more distressed by a wide variety of unpleasant stimuli: physical, cognitive and emotional. Is there an escape from this?
If you are oversensitive, the first step is to become aware of it.
If you're a person who absorbs information more easily by reading than by hearing a lecture or an audio recording, you're oversensitive. Why? Because you have a more intense and prolonged reaction to whatever you're subjected to. And because of this, you need to go at your own pace. You can't do that with audio; it dictates the pace, and as you respond to it, you'll find that your reactions can't always keep up with it. You begin losing bits and pieces of the material. When you're reading, you can pause as your reactions occur, and resume when you're ready to.
Then You Can Take Better Care of Yourself
You can take steps to protect yourself from too much stimulation. For instance, you may want to socialize less than other people, and that's fine. You won't need to question yourself about these choices because you will know that they are right for you. And when something upsetting does happen, you can use my complimentary Tool to experience feelings of peacefulness and calm.
GET THE COMPLIMENTARY Tool
