If you are highly sensitive, you are prone to overstimulation. Earplugs help to prevent this. But what exactly is high sensitivity? What is meant by overstimulation? And how can earplugs help with overstimulation and HSP?
What is high sensitivity?
High sensitivity is an increased sensitivity to physical, emotional, or social stimuli. In other words, these stimuli are experienced more intensely. Everyone has some degree of sensitivity — that’s what makes us human! — but the sensitivity of a highly sensitive person is on another level. The term Highly Sensitive Person (HSP) was first used in the mid-1990s. It is estimated that one in five people are highly sensitive. High sensitivity is a personality trait, not a mental disorder. It is associated with increased responsiveness to both positive and negative influences. This can manifest itself in different ways.
Common features include:
- Needing rest and/or quiet and/or time alone more often and more quickly;
- A rich and complex inner life, with profound thoughts and strong feelings;
- A tendency to avoid negative, violent or sad news items, films or TV shows because they affect you too strongly and make you feel unpleasant or upset;
- Being deeply touched by the beauty in art, people, nature, and other aspects of life;
- Frequent emotional exhaustion due to ‘absorbing’ the feelings and emotions of others;
- Being quickly overwhelmed by sensory stimuli such as uncomfortable clothing, strong smells, bright lights, loud noises or crowds.
What is overstimulation?
Many highly sensitive people (HSPs) suffer from overstimulation, which occurs when the brain receives more sensory stimuli than it can process in the moment. The extent to which a person becomes overstimulated can vary depending on the person, the duration of exposure to stimuli and the type of stimuli. Overstimulation can occur gradually, to the point where you may not even realise it is happening at first, but it can also occur suddenly. The symptoms of overstimulation can vary, too. You may suffer from:
- An overwhelming feeling;
- Loss of concentration;
- Restlessness, irritation, tension or anxiety;
- Confusion;
- Forgetfulness;
- Extreme sensitivity to certain sensory stimuli;
- Palpitations;
- Dizziness;
- Headache.
There are clear advantages to being highly sensitive, such as a heightened sense of empathy. However, becoming easily overstimulated is anything but pleasant. You may find yourself avoiding things you enjoy purely to avoid overstimulation. Fortunately, there is a lot you can do to manage your high sensitivity effectively.
How can hearing protection help with overstimulation and high sensitivity?
How are earplugs related to high sensitivity? Simple: By reducing the amount of certain sensory stimuli, you can prevent overstimulation. When ambient noise is muted, your brain has more ‘capacity’ to process other sensory input. Wearing earplugs helps reduce the auditory stimuli your brain has to process, thus preventing overstimulation.
Why choose Alpine earplugs for overstimulation?
Are you a highly sensitive person looking for earplugs to reduce overstimulation? If so, you’ve come to the right place. Alpine offers a range of high-quality, comfortable earplugs designed to protect against overwhelming stimuli. Our hearing protection for concentration is designed not only to help you focus but also to prevent overstimulation. The multifunctional Alpine Silence earplugs attenuate up to 25 dB, making it quieter around you. For maximum attenuation, be sure to check out our earplugs for sleeping.
Ordering earplugs to protect against stimuli
You can easily place an order through our online store and pay securely using your preferred payment method. What’s more, if you order before 8 p.m. on a weekday, we’ll ship your high-sensitivity earplugs the same day, ensuring quick delivery. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, don’t hesitate to contact our customer service team. We are happy to assist!
