Health

Unlocking the Hidden Truth: Why Overstimulation Makes Us Snap

2025-06-22

Author: Noah

Ever Wondered Why You Snap When Overstimulated?

Recently, a viral tweet struck a chord with a staggering 55,000 users, capturing a common struggle: "I can be really mean when I’m overstimulated." Sound familiar? If you've ever lost your temper over a minor annoyance after a tough day, keep reading.

Psychotherapist Manahil Riaz explains, "Our brains process information through our senses—sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell—to help us navigate our environment. When we’re overstimulated, our senses become overwhelmed, making us feel stressed and on edge."

The Science Behind Your Reactions

Emma Shandy Anway, a licensed therapist, sheds light on how overstimulation impacts our brains. She notes that under stress, the prefrontal cortex—the area responsible for rational thinking—takes a backseat, leaving you reactive rather than reflective. This creates a cycle where stress amplifies emotions, leading to unnecessary outbursts.

Anway elaborates that as our "fight, flight, or freeze" response kicks in, even small inconveniences can trigger explosive reactions. Whether it’s yelling at your child over a missing shoe or snapping at a colleague, once you hit that overstimulation wall, rational thinking goes out the window.

Technology: The Overstimulation Villain?

It’s clear that in our hyper-connected world, technology plays a major role. With an endless stream of notifications and updates, it’s easy to feel sensory overload. Riaz points out that our society has become so accustomed to constant connectivity that just 30 years ago, we experienced far less distraction.

While scrolling through social media can be tempting, the irony is that what we truly crave is peace and presence—elements often stripped away by our devices.

Mastering Your Emotions

Navigating the storm of overstimulation is possible! Anway emphasizes the importance of reclaiming control over your emotions, especially when you notice yourself on the edge. Simple techniques like deep breathing can make a world of difference. Focus on a longer exhale than inhale to signal to your body that you’re not in danger.

Mindfulness practices can also help. For instance, identify three green things around you to redirect your focus amidst chaos.

Establishing healthy habits can be a powerful preventive measure. Maybe set some screens down for the first 30 minutes after waking up or carve out a daily 10-minute quiet time to recharge.

Small Steps, Big Changes

Anway concludes that you don’t need drastic life changes to reclaim your calm. Start with tiny, manageable steps that can have a profound impact on your well-being. Don't underestimate the power of small adjustments. They might just be the key to keeping your sanity in our overstimulated world.