Uploaded August 2025 | Updated September 2026, 49 minutes ago
In this week's episode of The Gentle Rebel Podcast, we look at the relationship between sensory processing sensitivity and overstimulation. Susceptibility to overstimulation is one of the core elements associated with being a highly sensitive person. But what does that mean?
What does it look like in practice? And is there anything we can do about it other than avoiding stimulating environments and situations? At the get-go, I want to answer that question with a resounding yes...
In this video, I explore:
The difference between stress and overstimulation
Common signs (physical, emotional, cognitive, and behavioural)
What happens in the body when overstimulation occurs
Practical strategies for prevention, relief, and recovery
Why sensitivity isn’t a flaw, but a natural variation in human temperament
If you’ve ever felt suddenly drained, foggy, irritable, or like you need to escape, this might give you language and tools to understand what’s happening beneath the surface.
Download the HSP Owner's Guide: the-haven.co/hsp-owners-guide
Full Post: the-haven.co/overstimulation-and-high-sensitivity
Differential Susceptibility: the-haven.co/differential-susceptibility-and-high-sensitivity
Timestamps
00:00 Introduction
01:52 Highly Sensitive Isn't Who You Are
03:10 The Microphone Metaphor
06:15 High Sensitivity and Stimulation
12:05 What Do We Mean by Overstimulation?
16:47 What Overstimulation Might Look and Feel Like
25:02 Self-Regulating When Overstimulation Hits
33:56 The Social Side of Overstimulation
38:21 Conclusion (The Challenge of No Margin)
In this week's episode of The Gentle Rebel Podcast, we look at the relationship between sensory processing sensitivity and overstimulation. Susceptibility to overstimulation is one of the core elements associated with being a highly sensitive person. But what does that mean?
What does it look like in practice? And is there anything we can do about it other than avoiding stimulating environments and situations? At the get-go, I want to answer that question with a resounding yes...
In this video, I explore:
The difference between stress and overstimulation
Common signs (physical, emotional, cognitive, and behavioural)
What happens in the body when overstimulation occurs
Practical strategies for prevention, relief, and recovery
Why sensitivity isn’t a flaw, but a natural variation in human temperament
If you’ve ever felt suddenly drained, foggy, irritable, or like you need to escape, this might give you language and tools to understand what’s happening beneath the surface.
Download the HSP Owner's Guide: the-haven.co/hsp-owners-guide
Full Post: the-haven.co/overstimulation-and-high-sensitivity
Differential Susceptibility: the-haven.co/differential-susceptibility-and-high-sensitivity
Timestamps
00:00 Introduction
01:52 Highly Sensitive Isn't Who You Are
03:10 The Microphone Metaphor
06:15 High Sensitivity and Stimulation
12:05 What Do We Mean by Overstimulation?
16:47 What Overstimulation Might Look and Feel Like
25:02 Self-Regulating When Overstimulation Hits
33:56 The Social Side of Overstimulation
38:21 Conclusion (The Challenge of No Margin)
