Overstimulation occurs when the nervous system is overloaded with sensory or emotional input, making it difficult for the brain to process everything at once. This overwhelm triggers a stress response, keeping the body in a heightened state of alertness and making it hard to return to a place of calm. How this might feel: Tension headache Tension in body Disorientation/confusion/feeling distracted or scattered, "not thinking straight" or "can't think"
Loss of connection with self and others
Sensory input feels more intense than usual/can't be easily ignored/blocked out
Loss of presence/natural relationship with the moment/place you are in
Desire to escape/isolate
Irritability
Fatigue
At a neurological level, overstimulation affects several key systems in the brain and body - let's learn more.
1. The Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) Gets Stuck in Overdrive
The Autonomic Nervous System regulates involuntary functions like heart rate, breathing, and digestion. It has two main branches:
Sympathetic Nervous System ("Fight or Flight") – Activated by stress, stimuli, or emotional intensity, flooding the body with adrenaline and cortisol to heighten alertness.
Parasympathetic Nervous System ("Rest and Restore") – Works to calm the body, lower stress hormones, and restore balance.
When we are overstimulated, the sympathetic nervous system remains activated too long, keeping the body in a hyper-vigilant, reactive state. This can cause physical tension, difficulty concentrating, irritability, and emotional exhaustion.
2. The Prefrontal Cortex (Decision-Making Center) Struggles to Keep Up
The prefrontal cortex, responsible for rational thinking, focus, and impulse control, becomes overwhelmed when faced with too much input. This leads to:
Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
Mental fog and forgetfulness
Feeling scattered or easily distracted
The more overstimulated we become, the harder it is to regulate emotions and process information clearly.
3. The Amygdala (Emotional Processing) Becomes Overactive
The amygdala, which processes fear and emotional responses, can become hyperactive when the nervous system is in overdrive. This can make small stressors feel much bigger, triggering:
Heightened anxiety or stress responses
Increased emotional sensitivity
Difficulty regulating emotions
For highly sensitive people or empaths, this effect is even more pronounced because their nervous systems are wired to process stimuli more deeply.
4. Dopamine and Serotonin Imbalances Can Lead to Burnout
When the brain is constantly processing stimuli, it can deplete key neurotransmitters like dopamine (motivation and reward) and serotonin (mood regulation). Over time, this can lead to:
Fatigue and emotional exhaustion
Feeling drained even after socializing or working on something you love
Increased sensitivity to stress
This is why overstimulation isn’t just about the moment—it can have long-term effects on mood, energy levels, and overall well-being.
How Reiki Helps Reset an Overstimulated Nervous System
Reiki works directly with the nervous system and energy field to bring the body out of overstimulation and into a state of balance. It does this by:
Activating the Parasympathetic Nervous System, allowing the body to shift into deep relaxation.
Calming the Amygdala, reducing stress and emotional reactivity.
Clearing Energy Buildup, helping the brain and body process input more easily.
Restoring Dopamine & Serotonin Levels, supporting emotional balance and reducing fatigue.
Over time, regular Reiki sessions train the nervous system to return to a calm state more easily, and provide tools for you to implement as needed, making you more resilient to and capable of navigating overstimulation. The more you come to Reiki, the more you "learn" that it is a safe space designed precisely for your relaxation.
Steps to take once overstimulated
Remove input. The number one thing you can do when overstimulated is to remove yourself from the stimuli, if possible. If possible, move to a quiet place. Lie down in bed with an eye mask and wait until that "buzzing" or "full" feeling in your head dissipates. This can take 20-60+ minutes.
Switch to predictable input: If removing stimulation feels uncomfortable, you may want to try a controlled, predictable source of stimulation, such as a podcast or show you are familiar with.
Comfort & Familiarity: the more comfortable, predictable, and familiar your environment, the better! Change into comfortable clothes, take a shower, get in bed or on the couch, make a cup of tea - create a space that feels as easy to be in as possible.
Ground: if you're hungry, eat. Step barefoot onto a warm patio, hold a warm cup of tea, hold ice in your hands - whatever helps you be in your body.
Co-regulate: Sometimes someone else's grounded energy can be very powerful for bringing us back to center. This could be just being in their presence, talking something through, or having someone like a partner physically lie on top of you for tactile grounding. Everyone is different - see what works for you.
Mindfulness or breathing practices if comfortable: In my experience, mindfulness and breathing techniques can aggravate overstimulation. It this is the case for you,
For those of us who are easily overstimulated, it can feel like you are constantly at odds with the world. Everyday tasks like errands can feel daunting, and it's common to develop avoidance tactics around situations with raised emotions, conflict, or unpredictability.
Have compassion for yourself - you don't have the same capacity to shut out input that other people do. This is also a gift - your sensitivity is so needed in this world. But it does mean you need to take extra steps to take care of yourself. By understanding how overstimulation affects your brain and body and developing a set of tools and practices that work for you, you can take intentional steps to reset, recharge, and restore balance.
Reiki Energy Healing Sessions in Boulder, CO
If you're curious how Reiki can support you, I'd love to connect. Reiki energy healing sessions at Somatique in Boulder, CO are carefully tailored to you, with the intake form collecting info about your sensitivities to ensure we avoid anything that isn't entirely comfortable for you.