Mindful Sensations

Do you experience any of the following symptoms of sensory overload?  

• Decreased concentration
• Irritability
• Feeling wound up or overwhelmed
• Anxiety 
• Fear
• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Sensitivity to light 
• Sensitivity to sound

What is Sensory Overload? 

Sensory overload happens when the brain can’t process the amount of information being received from the senses fast enough. Stress, changes in mood, lack of sleep and hunger can all reduce our ability to cope with sensory inputs for a short period of time. When our stress level is high and continuous such as during life transitions, we can benefit from intentionally using sensory tools or spending time in our sensory space to care for our nervous system. People can have different triggers including loud music, a crowded room, fluorescent lighting, strong smells or too many conversations happening at the same time. Sensory overload can happen to many people, including those living with Post-Concussion Syndrome, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Central Sensitization Syndrome, Functional Neurological Disorder (FND), Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Anxiety Disorders, Migraines and Menopause. 

Mindful Sensations is a workshop created by Emily Becker and Shannon Ellis to fill a gap in service for people living with sensory overload after a neurological event or illness. This workshop integrates mindfulness with sensory regulation in order to enhance well-being. This workshop was developed by combining research and teachings from The Dalai Lama, Thich Nhat Hanh, Bessel van der Kolk, Pat Ogden, Jon Stone, Jon Kabat-Zinn, Mohamed Gheis, John Teasdale, Mark Williams, and Zindel Segal.

This workshop includes education, experiential learning, reflection and group discussion.

Through formal and informal mindfulness practices, participants will learn to bring awareness to their moment-to-moment sensory experience while letting go of the need for things to be different. As they practice releasing resistance to discomfort, they will learn to experience whatever presents itself with openness and non-judgement. As participants practice expanding their experience to include all sensory information, they will begin to become comfortable with being uncomfortable. 

Through experiential learning, participants will learn what is calming, alerting and grounding for their sensory system. Participants will create a sensory toolbox and sensory space that will enhance their ability to remain grounded. 

Participants will:

• Build awareness about the nervous system 
• Reflect on routines and its impact on function
• Understand the sensory system's response to internal and external stimuli
• Learn to create and apply sensory tools to become calm, alert and grounded
• Create a sensory space and sensory toolbox
• Develop a personal mindfulness practice
• Practice releasing resistance to discomfort
• Learn the relationship between their physical sensations, thoughts, emotions and behaviours
• Learn to include all experience as it is with kindness