Know The Signs
This can include sudden irritability, frustration over minor things, anxiety, fidgeting, social withdrawal
What is emotional/behavioral signs?
You can ask for this when feeling too stressed to move on with any activity or task.
What is a break
You're trying to complete paperwork and someone is talking making it difficult to concentrate. What would you do?
What is ask them if they could speak quieter or find a quiet space.
Taking a break when you're overwhelmed means you are giving up.
False
This technique involves writing down your thoughts, fears, and emotions.
What is journaling?
This can include headaches, muscle tension, tight haw, shallow breathing, rapid heartbeat
You can ask this when you're having trouble understanding someone.
What is "Could you slow down?" or "Could you repeat that?"
You are at the grocery store and suddenly the lights seem brighter, people seem louder, and you feel very overwhelmed. What would you do?
What is take a break, find a quieter area, or ask someone for help.
Multitasking can make it harder to concentrate on tasks and remember information.
True
This technique involves intentional use of your diaphragm (main breathing muscle) to reduce stress/anxiety.
What is diaphragmatic breathing?
This can include sensitivity to bright lights, loud noises, crowded environments, or busy patterns
What is sensory signs
You can do/ask for this when the room is noisy and you're having trouble concentrating.
What is move somewhere else.
You're working on an activity and start becoming frustrated and making more mistakes. What would you do?
What is take a break, slow down, or ask for help.
You should always push through stress instead of taking a break.
False
This technique involves intentionally thinking of positive images to decrease stress/anxiety.
What is visualization?
This is a sign that your brain may be getting overwhelmed. This may include having trouble concentrating, becoming more frustrated, or making more mistakes.
What is cognitive/mental fatigue.
You can say this when someone is talking to you or asking you a question and you need more time to process before answering.
What is "I need time to answer/think"
You've been busy all morning. You feel yourself becoming tired and irritable. What would you do?
Reducing background noise and environmental distractions can make it easier to focus.
True
This technique involves intentionally tensing and relaxing specific muscle groups throughout your body.
What is Progressive Muscle Relaxation?
Name two early warning signs that you are becoming overwhelmed or stressed
Variable: tension, irritability, trouble following conversation/focusing
You are becoming overwhelmed during a conversation or activity. What are two ways to advocate for yourself?
Variable answers: ask to take a break, ask them to speak slower, ask for more time, ask to change the environment
You notice you are becoming overwhelmed all of a sudden and you don't know why. What would you do?
What is pause and check in on yourself, identify environmental triggers, think about signs of fatigue, or think about your exercises/strategies.
Everyone experiences overstimulation and stress the same way.
False. People experience different triggers and warning signs.
What are 3 ways to decrease stress and overstimulation in the moment.
A variety of answers such as: breathing, movement, taking a break, leaving the room/activity, talking to someone, naming the feeling, etc.