that-nonbinary-guy:

neurodeervergent:

howtoautism:

how to NOT have meltdowns in shopping malls please

I don’t think I’m supposed to answer to this but since I just was one the same situation yesterday, maybe I can actually help.

-Headphones. If you have nothing that can muffle sounds, maybe you can at least use them to listen to your favourite music or podcasts as you walk around.
(I didn’t have any, and was constantly in ready-to-meltdown mode from all the noise)

-Stims. I managed to calm myself down by hugging myself real tight for about a minute. It was a good way to pressure-stim off that energy that comes with having a meltdown. But do whatever feels right to you. Stim hard. It feels embarrassing probably, yeah, but I guess having a meltdown in public is worse…

-Have a conversation. If you’re going with a friend or a family member, and you’re still able to speak, talk to them and let the conversation distract and calm you.

-Take a break. Most malls have public restrooms. You can go there to cool off for a while. Splash your face with water (unless you don’t like that), wash your hands with very cold water (that can be useful if you feel like pain or intense stimulation helps you), lock yourself in a cabin and close your eyes and breathe deeply for a while until you feel better.

Just gonna add onto the headphone one, get a pair of Bluetooth earbuds, the kind with the squishy ear parts cuz those muffle sound! And wear them wherever you go. Theres some for like $10 at target (the $30 ones are more comfy if u have small inner ears like me) And they’ve been worth every penny for me. Nobody will think anything of it and you can just put them in your ears whenever it’s too loud! You don’t even have to listen to music they just make everything quieter it’s saved me from so many potential sensory overloads!

Bluetooth ear buds have been a HUGE help to my anxiety levels in loud places. They’re also really good for crowded doctors’ offices…otherwise my heart rate and bp would really be at skyrocket levels.