September 2018

I remember whilst growing up always being so excited for Christmas. Once I found out that Mom was really Santa Claus (spoiler alert), I could not bear waiting for Christmas day to see if I had got what I wished for! I would wait for my Mom to leave her bedroom, sneak in, find something to stand on, and search her cupboard for any possible gifts. Sometimes I was a little too early, but sometimes I ruined the surprise – just as planned.

The Need for Control and Predictability

After learning about my sensory assessment, I realised that I prefer control and predictability – as do many people. Why did I want to spoil the surprise of what I was getting for Christmas? Some may think I was just a spoilt brat, but I now know it caused far too much anxiety to wait, wonder and hope. I needed to know. I didn’t like the feeling of knowing my gift was there, but that I could not see it or touch it or have some kind of control in the process.

I personally enjoy surprises when I do not know they are coming. But if you tell me, “I have a surprise for you, but you have to wait and find out” – it drives me mad. The unknown. The uncertainty. And ultimately, not knowing what to prepare for – not knowing how to prepare my sense for what might come.

When Surprises Become Stressful

But some people don’t even like surprises when they do not know they are coming. It catches them off guard and triggers a stress response because surprise parties are full of sensory input and particularly, unexpected sensory input, e.g.:

A room full of people you weren’t anticipating seeing,
A party setup you did not have a say in,
A noisy, perhaps even loud, environment,
Being the centre of attention, without an opportunity to prepare for it.

You get the point – unexpected sensory input. People who are sensory seekers will love and enjoy the thrill of surprises. For people who are sensory sensitive or sensory avoiders, this is a nightmare.

Why Low Sensory Thresholds Seek Predictability

A person with low sensory thresholds tends to seek control and predictability. WHY? This provides an opportunity to prime the brain for what is to come to avoid spiraling into a stress response upon an overload of sensory input. It allows one to strategize some sensory snacks for the upcoming experience and therefore feels more at ease and function optimally. For example, a person with low sensory thresholds planning a party will make sure all details are catered for:

They think carefully through the agenda of the function and try to ensure that everything is considered and planned thoughtfully.
They know that there is a starting time and a possible ending time.
They know what music might be played and have control over how loud it might be.
They know how many people to expect and how much space there will be.
They know the answers to questions like: what shoes should I wear? Will there be seating available or will I have to stand? Will there be food available and what kind? Is there an outside area where there is fresh air? Do I need to take something warm in case the function is held outside?

All these details are important to a sensitive person as it determines whether or not they will relax and enjoy themselves or wish they had booked their Uber for an earlier time! So perhaps it is best to know the person really well, before attempting to throw a surprise party for them

Discover Your Sensory Thresholds

Do you like surprise parties? Do your sensory assessment to find out what your thresholds look like…

If you would like a quick summary of your overall sensory thresholds, do our short FREE Sensory Quiz™.
For a comprehensive 26-page report with tips and strategies on how to reduce stress and live a productive, healthy and happy life visit Sensory Matrix™.
Once you’ve done the e-assessment and would like a one-on-one coaching session, we can put you in touch with one of our licensed practitioners.
For team-building with a difference, get your whole team to do the e-assessment – you can contact us here.

Are you the kind of person who likes to spend time alone?
Or do you crave to be around people for the most part of your day?

We all have different sensory thresholds – some high, some low. This means that we can take more, or less sensory input before becoming drained, irritable or feeling stressed. We are bombarded by sensory input wherever we go – especially visual and auditory input. So how do we cope?

Our bodies elicit a stress response when the brain has reached its limit of processing sensory input. We go into fight, fright or flight mode and we lose contentment, peace of mind, the ability to focus, digestive comfort and our mood changes too. This is no fun place to be, and so most of us would prefer to avoid a situation that might set this reaction and change in behaviour off.

For many people, being in a crowded place – be it a shopping mall, an expo, a music concert or a festival – is a daunting thought. For many people this is possibly the most stressful scenario to be in. Almost every sense is used, overused and exhausted in these kinds of places. Imagine it:

people wearing colourful clothes, posters with images, movies and text (visual);
people talking amongst themselves, music blaring, different sounds coming from all corners (auditory);
the many different smells of people’s shampoo, perfumes and body odour, as well as, of the different food or drink in the vicinity (smell/taste);
the invasion of personal space, people brushing passed or bumping into you, or feeling others breathing over you (tactile).

There are people who would manage just fine in this scenario – those with high thresholds in these areas. They would enjoy the mania of sensory input and be energised by it. Then there are others with high thresholds who don’t necessarily even notice that so much is going on. Their brains manage to filter out most of the information and they just carry on as though they’re anywhere else.

But, there are those who do not cope and leave crowded places feeling exhausted or overwhelmed. Their brain is in high alert and they are likely quite defensive, argumentative or just plain tired after such an event. These are people with low thresholds who have a sensitive response to this type of input. The brain quickly learns that crowded places are dangerous; a threat to our happiness and contentment.

When you discover that this could be the reasons behind your behaviour and your preference to avoid crowds, you no longer judge yourself as “strange” or “anti-social”. Increasing self-awareness on this level, with an understanding of the biology behind your preferences and learning new strategies for managing your responses, is truly freeing. It brings perspective to your life; the choices you have made and will make and how you have become who you are.

Isn’t it time you find out what your senses are trying to tell you?

If you would like to learn more about your own sensory assessment, do our short FREE Sensory Quiz™.
For a comprehensive 26-page report with tips and strategies on how to reduce stress and live a productive, healthy and happy life visit Sensory Matrix™.
Once you’ve done the self-assessment and would like a one-on-one coaching session, we can put you in touch with one of our licensed practitioners.
For team-building with a difference, get your whole team to do the self-assessment – you can contact us here.

Month: September 2018

66% of people don’t want surprise parties. Are you one?

The Need for Control and Predictability

When Surprises Become Stressful

Why Low Sensory Thresholds Seek Predictability

Discover Your Sensory Thresholds

41% of people avoid crowds. Are you one?

Who has benefited