How Sensory Avoidance Shapes Your Mental Health and Daily Life
About this episode
This episode explores sensory avoidance and its impact on mental health and daily life, providing insights and strategies for sensory avoiders.
EP:184 Are you completely drained by noise, crowds, constant talking, and everyday chaos? In this episode of Thrive Like a Parent, I’m breaking down what it really means to be a sensory avoider—and why that does not mean you’re dramatic, anti-social, or broken. I walk you through the difference between sensory seekers and sensory avoiders, using simple, real-life examples so you can finally put words to what your body has been trying to tell you. If you crave quiet, calm, predictability, and space, your nervous system may have a low sensory threshold—which means you hit overload much faster than others. We’ll talk about: How sensory avoidance shows up in adults: hating crowded places, needing quiet to think, feeling exhausted after social events, snapping at your kids or partner when you’re overstimulatedWhat sensory avoidance looks like in kids: covering ears, avoiding messy play, hating certain clothing textures, wanting to leave loud parties or busy events “too soon”Why pushing yourself or your child with “just get used to it” or “stop being so sensitive” actually ignores what the nervous system needs to feel safeRegulation strategies for sensory avoiders: routines…
People in this episode
Host: Dr. Brooke Weinstein
Topics covered
- sensory avoidance
- mental health
- parenting
- nervous system
- sensory processing
- regulation strategies
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