Holiday Sensory Overload: How do you manage?

Short breaks from the chaos? My Grandpa used to take a walk if he was tired of the noise (long ago - when hearing aids were mostly amplifiers.) My Dad would go into the kitchen and wash a few dishes or load the dishwasher.
Or maybe it is time to ask the family for a "quiet zone" during gatherings. You might be surprised how many people wander in to visit one-on-one for a bit and be out of the mainstream to give themselves a break - they may not even consciously realize that is what they are doing.
Sue

Thanks for your reply.

"My Dad would go into the kitchen and wash a few dishes or load the dishwasher."

For what it's worth, I do that too as well as clear the table. I have also moved to a quieter area at times.

It's good to know that I'm not alone.

I don't participate in most of the hoopla. Just another time of the year, a season, that holds it's own place in our lives.

Don't have any interest in the Big Party aspect of the season, I prefer one to one encounters, small dinners with family and friends.

I am a simple person who strives to maintain control of my life, my happiness.

Merry, Merry Everyone!

Try focusing on just one of the kids, this way everyone else might let you be. It will also give you quality time with that one. Move around the room that way if you can.
At dinner I tend to focus on on two people, if someone else asks me something my wife clues me in.
Hope that helps a little.

I understand how that may seem confusing or backwards, it did to me, too. From my experience having CSS and learning from Mayo's pain rehab center, totally avoiding sensory or pain triggers can make someone become more sensitive. While it's human nature to want to avoid something that causes hurt - aka "fight or flight", with CSS hurt doesn't equal harm because the pain stems from false signals to the brain, therefore complete avoidance may never allow a build up of tolerance levels or retraining of the brain.

For a basic example, I don't do well with abrupt (flooded) exposure to bright light but by gently and slowly allowing my eyes to acclimate to a lit room if coming from a dark room, I give myself a better chance at acclimating and being able to stay in that room. My husband used to flick the bedroom lights on or turn them off at night and it would cause instant pain. Now he announces first so I can prepare by closing my eyes and funneling small bits of light in or out gradually. All in all, CSS and sensitivities will always be a part of me but with graded exposure I've been able to work towards somewhat desensitizing sensitized sensors and give myself ways to manage other than complete avoidance. Does this make sense, Twinkie?

Hi there, checking in to see if anyone's experiencing difficulty with holiday sensory overload and managing symptoms? Each year I assess my plans and try to do better than the previous year but some things just can't be fixed or changed they can only be worked through or around. How have you been working through or managing holiday sensory overload? Do you have any tips that have helped or plans you are changing for better outcome this year?

@rwinney I am limiting my trips into stores. A couple are trying out "sensory friendly" shopping hours, with less or no music piped over the loud speakers. That is awesome for me!

Several years ago it became clear to me that I cannot enjoy the season, with all the input of sights/sounds/feelings of "must do". Through hard work and really looking at the situations, I allow myself grace to back off and take care of myself. It was not easy to buck against what society wants us to do!
Ginger