Feeling Overwhelmed

I wasn’t sure what to write about today. then I thought with this being a real and honest autism blog, the best thing I could write about is something that is affecting me today. and today I am feeling overwhelmed and I honestly have no idea why!

Being autistic, sometimes it is easy to feel this way! often times the feeling comes because of some external factors i.e. something going on around us making us feel this way. this is the most logical explanation. but what happens when there is simply nothing going on around us? like me today I am currently sitting in a very quiet dining room in a quiet house with two dogs sleeping quietly near me. the light level is fine, the house is warm but not so warm where I would sweat and as I said previously, it is quiet and yet I still find myself feeling overwhelmed! I’m not particularly worried about anything and although things could be better, I’m certainly not stressing about anything as such!

so what can I do then? I find myself asking. I usually find watching some YouTube videos and having a bite to eat is a great place to start! maybe play a video game after I have eaten or listen to some music! the point is when we feel like this it is ok to look after yourself and bring yourself down to a comfortable place, especially if there are things to be done. if we don’t address the overwhelmed feelings as soon as we can then we will often stay in this mental state all day and feel worse after not getting anything done! it’s usually best to get it out of the way so you have far more of your day to be positive and get done what needs to be done.

it is always important to remember that it is absolutely ok not to be ok but it is equally important to not allow ourselves to be consumed by the feelings, this is why self-care is so important to mental wellness and if you need to take time to focus on yourself then that’s great! find yourself a good book and a comfy spot, watch YouTube videos, eat some of your favourite food, take a bath with candles, crawl into your own blanket fort and watch movies – do whatever it is that will make you feel more like you again! and remember those feelings are not a forever thing!

Chewigem Hand Fidget -Product review

A friend of mine sent this to me and I received it fairly recently and I have to say this is one of my most favourite fidget toy in the whole world! The first thing I noticed when I took it out of the packaging was how satisfyingly soft the fidget is! It’s smooth and very nice to hold! The next amazing thing about it is how quiet it is to fidget with, the berry in the centre moves very smoothly and is equally as satisfying to sit and roll with the thumb. I have an awful habit of clenching my jaw when I get stressed out or mad at something and this has enough durability for me to chew on instead of clenching my jaw so it saves my teeth a little bit! This fidget is perfect for people with busy hands and the urge to chew on things they shouldn’t! It’s versatile and amazing! The Chewigem Hand fidget is available in Camo (pictured), joy, orange and blue and also pink and yellow colour schemes and is only £11.95 from their website! This fidget toy is AMAZING and you should definitely invest in one!

chewigem

Tangles! – Product Review

I bought my first tangle about 2 years ago when I worked in a really stressful environment and I found they helped take the edge off as I was able to distract my mind by fidgeting with it, I worked with someone who suffered from anxiety and I gave her one of my Tangles and she also noted that they helped her! now to this day I don’t go anywhere without a tangle in my pocket or in my backpack and I consider it a vital part of my “panic pack” they help me self-regulate on the bus or at the doctors and I even sit at dinner with one!

I went through a period where I would take them apart and mix up the colours to customise them to my own likes I also liked putting them back together in the default colour arrangements! One thing I do like is how tightly the pieces fit each other even after taking them apart several times making them robust and very customisable and great for kids that are quite rough and handsy with their toys! Overall I’d say Tangles are definitely a must have for anyone with ASD, anxiety issues, people who like to fidget and children with focus issues. A very versatile toy suitable for everyone!

tangle

Sensory Owl weighted blanket – Product Review

I received a Weighted blanket from Sensory Owl. this review was originally posted on my Instagram page Captain Autismo click the link to check it out!

sensoryowl

I have read up online about the benefits of weight therapy and the effects of weighted items on people on the autism spectrum and wasn’t sure whether it would help me. Upon receiving the package I proceeded to find myself a comfortable spot to sit and read a book, I folded the blanket once and placed it over my lap to be met with this wonderful feeling of security and comfort! Things that would ordinarily bother me were bothering me less if not, not at all. I spent most of the afternoon like this and thoroughly enjoyed using the blanket!
Then came night time. My partner also expressed her want for trying weight therapy as she has sensory processing disorder! I decided to lay the blanket full stretch over our bed for us to use while sleeping as it is big enough to fit over most of us while lying in the bed. We both woke up feeling well rested and relaxed from our nights’ sleep! I would usually wake up anxious but I awoke from my sleep in a relaxed and happy manner!
I often had underestimated the use of weighted items for therapy before now and I have now realised the benefits after only one day and nights use of this item! I am very much looking forward to my calmer more relaxed future using my weighted blanket! Thank you so much Sensory Owl! You have literally changed my life!