Sensory Integration Education

A busy day in London recently got me thinking about the demands that this time of year puts on our sensory systems. Just think about the stressors of a busy day trying to get from point A to point B, getting Christmas shopping done, followed by a visit to a restaurant or show. While it is an exciting time of year, it can be very stressful for individuals with sensory integration or sensory processing differences.

If you are travelling on public transport, you can face several sensory challenges before you even reach your first destination. These can include loud announcements, uncomfortable seats - or no seats at all - and crowded carriages with people bumping into you! Then, imagine trying to leave a busy train or underground station with crowded lifts and escalators. If you are sensitive to auditory, tactile, vestibular or proprioceptive sensory input, this can elevate your stress levels and take away from the fun, festive activities you have planned.

Now that you have reached your destination, the assault on your senses is unlikely to stop. Shops and restaurants are crowded and busy. Music is blaring in shops and public spaces. There are new smells in the form of market stalls and over-zealous perfume salespeople. While retailers set up Christmas decorations and stalls with the best intentions to provide a fun, festive atmosphere, this can be too much if you have sensory sensitivities.

So, how do you manage a day out without feeling like the Grinch who stole Christmas? Advance planning goes a long way, and avoiding peak times are crucial to making the most of this time of year. Travelling off-peak can make a huge difference. Instead of dinner in a central location on a busy weekend evening, see if you can meet up with friends and family somewhere quieter at a quieter time. That way, you can enjoy the experience instead of being overwhelmed by the onslaught to your senses. 

Looking at Christmas lights and displays can be more pleasurable without the stress of shopping and finding your way in a busy mall. So do your shopping in advance or order online and use your festive trips out to enjoy the scenery and displays instead.

Lastly, dress comfortably and pace yourself. Remember, this is your holiday season, nobody else’s. You are not obliged to do what others might want or expect you to do. So, make it your own.

Happy Holidays,

Lelanie Brewer

PS: For more tips, check out SIE's Christmas Sensory Survival Kit.

Sensory Snapshot is a regular series by Advanced SI Practitioner and OT Lelanie Brewer. Lelanie gained her MSc in OT at Brunel University, London, and is pursuing a PhD with Newcastle University. Experienced in the NHS, charity and private sectors, as well as being a UK university senior lecturer, Lelanie is the Lead for Continuous Professional Development at Sensory Integration Education.