Ways to reset when overstimulated – Part 3 – Mind
Overstimulation can shut down your brain’s “executive functioning” – the area responsible for planning, focus, and emotional control. When the amygdala is in overdrive, thoughts become foggy or chaotic. You might freeze, spiral, or go completely blank. Mental resets help gently bring your prefrontal cortex back online.
These aren’t productivity tricks – they’re about reconnecting with your own inner voice and capacity.
Try these gentle mind resets:
- 🧾 Name what you’re feeling (no judgment)
Putting emotions into words – even simple ones like “loud,” “frantic,” or “too much” – helps your brain move out of panic and into processing. - 🎶 Play a comfort song or familiar soundscape
Music activates multiple regions of the brain at once.
Pick something your nervous system already knows by heart: a lullaby, lo-fi beats, ocean waves. - 📴 Take a 10-minute break from your phone
Scrolling when overstimulated often adds more input.
Try facing a window, sipping water, or watching a fan spin instead. - 🧘 Repeat a short, calming phrase
It doesn’t have to be profound. Try:
“I can pause.”
“This will pass.”
“I’m allowed to take space.” - 🧑🎨 Let your brain wander — on purpose
Doodle, stack objects, rearrange something small.
Creative play lets the thinking brain soften while still staying gently engaged.
💬 Resetting your mind isn’t weakness. It’s wisdom. You’re allowed to step away, regroup, and try again.
