![]() I suggest using a moist heating pad for sore muscles and use of an ice pack or cooling towel to maintain comfortable body temperature. Heat and cold provide relief when feeling overwhelmed. It can hold up to 200 pounds, too! Temperature Changes Have you seen our compression swing? It's comfy and incredibly relaxing, like floating on a cloud. This can offer sensory integration at its finest, as movement in a swing engages so many senses working in harmony together. ![]() You’re never too old to swing! When done in a linear (back and forth) motion, swinging can be quite calming. They offer a sense of deep pressure input, as the body is enveloped by the bean bag, making contacts at many points. Many department stores carry them routinely. Bean Bagsīean bag chairs are wonderful since they form to the body’s unique shape and size. To learn more about sensory brushing, check out our article on it here. They can be found in special needs catalogs or on Amazon. Soft surgical brushes are often used to brush the skin in order to provide stimulation to the skin. If you’re craving more, consider a weighted vest, or one that offers pressure and weight together.įor children, weighted vests should be recommended and monitored by an occupational therapist for appropriate weight and size details, schedule, and efficacy.Īdult weighted blankets should follow the same protocol, although they are more widely available in stores and on the internet, anything with weight should be used with caution. Try a lap pad first to gauge how your body responds to the weight. Instead of purchasing a lead vest, weighted blankets for adults or lap pad can be used for people of all ages. It’s amazing how a big bear hug can feel after a long and stressful day, engaging that sense through deep pressure input can help to release serotonin in the body, promoting a sense of calm and relaxation. Deep Touch Pressure Sensory Productsĭo you feel a sense of relief when you go to the dentist and they lay the heavy lead vest on you for x-rays? That's deep touch pressure in action. Many department stores offer cheaper versions that are equally as comfortable. Companies such as Under Armour make workout clothing that is snug. Pressure and tight-fitting undergarments sometimes provide compressing that can be calming. Whole Body Sensory Tools for Adults Compression Clothing It’s when we are in this state that we can interact and function at our best. Regular participation in activities that both make us feel more comfortable and deliver oxygen to our brains via deep breathing or movement help to regulate and keep in what therapists call the ‘just right’ state of being. Our brains are designed to protect us and when we become disorganized and upset, we release chemicals that cause fight, flight, and fright reactions. The key is to implement activities before the point of stress. Understanding your own triggers and stressors helps to know when and how to provide helpful activities. I found this helpful checklist for adults from SPD Support. Here is a table of contents to help you navigate our list!Ĭhances are, adults who struggle to obtain the best and most comforting sensory input have come up with wonderfully creative strategies to meet their needs. Thinking about what makes you the most comfortable can help you figure out which sensory toy or tool is the right one to choose. We all have different patterns of sensory integration or sensory processing that makes us unique and can benefit from support when under stress or trying to achieve a state of calm relaxation. ![]() While many of these products are marketed as “autism toys”, even neurotypical adults can benefit from their use. Proprioceptive input, for example, involves heavy work- pushing, pulling, lifting, and carrying. What do you choose when you feel tired? How about when you feel upset?Īs a pediatric occupational therapist, I understand that our bodies have more than five senses. I encourage you to think about your own body. In fact, a study in Clinical Practice and Epidemiology in Mental Health discusses that “gum chewing is a popular and convenient way to help relieve stress and improve concentration.”Įveryone chooses different activities as a way to relieve stress and in order to calm and comfort themselves. The action of chewing can be calming to the muscles of the mouth. How do you deal with stress? When I’m upset, my go-to choice is to grab some ice or minty gum. Updated by Molly Shaw Wilson MS OTR/L BCP
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |