Help coming up with alternative stim ideas?

Post Reply New Topic

When I was little I used to throw my body into the walls in a zig-zag pattern (side to side) when I walked down the hallway. For me, this was related to proprioceptive hypo-sensitivity.


(^ Source page: http://mamaot.com/40-heavy-work-activities-kids/)

As an adult, my OT recommeded stuff like weighted vests and blanekts, and a sensory diet with a lot of "heavy work" -- stuff like push-ups, lifting or pushing heavy objects, and crawling around under a mattress. Jumping up and down is helpful for me, too.

Usually available:
Press your hands together really hard in front of your chest for a few seconds.
Lift weights or something heavy (without straining).
Any kind of focused breathing or breathing exercises.

Requires something you might not have on hand on short notice:
Squeeze a stress ball.
Punch something such as a pillow or mattress.
Pet a furry animal (or blanket or stuffed animal).
Take a hot bath or shower.
Use a weighted blanket when sleeping.
Wear a weighted vest.
Look at fire (e.g. candles or fireplace).
Put a heating pad on yourself (one of those cheap ones that don't get very hot)
Put a tennis ball between between your back and a wall and move around to massage.
Color (like in a coloring book)
Draw/doodle geometric shapes
Hug a pillow or soft toy
Listen to music you like (something you've heard a lot, for repetition)
Pop bubble wrap
Squish play-doh or clay, or make something out of it
Look at animations like these or these (Bing and google image search both have a way to limit the search to animations)

Usually an option but could be annoying or get you some weird looks:
Bounce your leg.
Rock back and forth.
Swing your legs while sitting.
While sitting in an office chair, use your feet to rotate back and forth.
Pace/walk
Anything else that causes you to be in constant motion, as long as you're in control of the motion.
Vocal sounds (hum, sing, scream into a pillow, whatever)
Stretching exercises.
Press your hands hard against each side of a doorway (pressure in the joints of your arms)
Massage yourself (deep pressure touch)
Push-ups (put your hands on furniture or lean against the wall if you aren't strong enough to do normal pushups)
Arm circles (hold your hands out to the side and move them in a circle), hand flapping, or any other repetitive arm movements
Systematically tense and release your muscles (progressive muscle relaxation)

If you need pain:
Squeeze an ice cube.
Rub an ice cube on yourself.
Put rubber bands on arms or legs and flick them
If you have any small skin injuries (e.g. paper cuts, or your pet scratched you), put rubbing alcohol on it.

Eating or drinking can be effective, but it can easily be harmful if you overdo it.

You can search for terms like "relaxation techniques" or "sensory diet" and maybe get some more ideas.