196: Reset & Restore: Coping with Overstimulation in the Family Home with Sarah Boyd

We interview Sarah Boyd, author of Turn Down the Noise, about overstimulation as an invisible epidemic impacting children, parents, and educators. Sarah explains how sensory overload affects mental health and family dynamics, distinguishing between tantrums and sensory overwhelm. She offers practical strategies for building resilience, including intentional downtime, playful family moments, and screen-free periods. Our conversation emphasizes understanding individual sensory needs, managing parental stress, and creating supportive environments.

In This Episode, You'll Hear About:

• Overstimulation as an invisible epidemic affecting mental health in children and families.
• The rise of anxiety, depression, and attention-related diagnoses in children and adolescents.
• The importance of environmental factors in supporting mental well-being.
• Sensory sensitivity as a personality trait and its prevalence among neurodivergent individuals.
• Differentiating between tantrums and sensory overwhelm in children.
• The impact of parental stress and emotional regulation on children's behavior.
• Strategies for increasing sensory capacity and managing overstimulation.
• The role of humor and lightheartedness in fostering resilience within families.
• The significance of creating intentional downtime and media-free periods for families.
• Practical tools for parents to create supportive environments and improve family dynamics.

Meet Sarah Boyd:

Sarah Boyd is a writer, child and adolescent development expert, and founder of educational company Resilient Little Hearts. She holds a Masters degree in Educational Psychology and a Diploma in the Neuroscience of Leadership. A native Australian, she now lives in California with her husband and two children. 

For the full show notes, including journal prompts and discussion questions for couples, go to IMbetween.org/episode196

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