News — anxiety

As this time of year can bring on sensory overload among sensory sensitive people, we can value and share the gift of being a calming presence with loved ones.   When we maintain rituals and routines that help children feel connected and calm, we can then mindfully incorporate seasonal and holiday themes with less overwhelm.  Whether it is reading together, listening to music together, baking cookies together, or eating dinner together, routine sensory-based activities can help with self-regulating rhythms of activity and rest.   During this season of gift giving, you may want to treat your loved one with a gift...

During this season of giving thanks, we have the opportunity to appreciate and express gratitude for the many blessings that nourish our “sense” of well-being.   At the same time, our nervous systems can be challenged in responding to changes in daily rhythms of light and dark, sleep, eating, and  physical activity. For people who are sensory sensitive and rely on routine, predictable sensory experiences to function well, the holiday season can be a strain on one’s inner resources and adaptability in managing the day to day.   To help balance the effect of the stressors of the season, it is...

Sommerfly is committed to high-quality life improvement products that provide comfort and calm while supporting the body’s stress response systems.  For Veterans recovering from the physical, emotional, and mental wounds of war, feeling at ease, safe, and without pain, may be an uncommon experience when living with PTSD, MST, and TBI.  In recognition of Veterans Day, we would like to share related resources that support Veterans in accessing physical, mental, and emotional health.   Photo from www.operationdelta.org Photo from  http://warriorsatease.org/ As many dog owners and dog lovers know, a bond with a dog can run deep, with a physical connection that...

Hello again from Sommerfly!   We are excited to hear from Hollie Marron, occupational therapist, one of our newest Sommerfly blog contributors. She brings you tips this week to help with increasing your sense of calm for dental visits. October is National Dental Hygiene Month. For some of us adults who experience dental anxiety and sensory sensitivities (or both which is quite common!), just thinking about a visit to the dentist can bring on anxiety, dread, or even total avoidance. Here are some tips to help you take charge and prepare for your next dental visit:  Use your sensory smarts to...

Summer fun, out of school, long days full of sun, free-time… These are ideas that usually evoke a sense joy but for some can be a recipe for stress. Summer is full of these experiences. Changes in regular routines that work and school provide sometime causes stress that can lead to dysregulated emotions. This can be true for both children and adults. The goal is to achieve a balance of fun opportunities within a schedule and stay emotionally regulated. Providing a visual schedule for yourself or the children in your life is a helpful tool to keep the calm and...