|| First published: | Last edited: || 📚🕒 Reading Time: < 1 minute Decompressing refers to engaging in activities or behaviours that allow a person to relax, unwind, and alleviate stress or sensory overload.
This term is particularly significant in the neurodivergent community as we often experience heightened sensitivity to environmental stimuli, leading to increased stress and anxiety levels.
Making sure to have time to decompress after especially taxing events is an essential part of self-care.
How to decompress as a neurodivergent person?
Decompressing activities can vary widely and depend on our needs for that day, interests or adaptations. Flexibility is key, and what works for one person might not work for another, and even the same person can have different preferences in different situations.
A few common ways people like to wind down and decompress after an exhausting day:
- spending time alone, in a quiet environment
- spending time with other people in a noisy environment (spinning class, dancing, martial arts)
- spending time doing art, or doing “cozy hobbies” (colouring, video games, crafts), reading
- moving your body – gentle movements (yoga, stretching, pilates), or vigorous activities (weight training, running, dancing, boxing)
- relaxation techniques, breathing exercises
- making noise, singing, letting steam out
- stimming
- unmasking in whatever shape or form it takes for you
Related terms
Context switching
Context switching refers to the cognitive process of shifting attention between different tasks or mental states. It involves disengaging from one task and engaging in another, requiring the brain to …
Neurodivergent adaptations
Adaptations or coping mechanisms are adjustments you make for yourself or made for you to create a safe and comfortable environment for you to exist in.
Sensory overwhelm
A feeling of immense distress, a sensory overwhelm / autistic overwhelm is a strong reaction caused by the compounded effects of stress, exhaustion, lack of safety, a sense of danger, unmet needs, too …
Unmasking
Unmasking is when you slowly learn to allow your neurodivergence to present itself and you don’t try to hide yourself. However, to unmask is a privilege, as you need a safe space to do it.
