Just random sensory overload discussion...

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Helps me to cope with my thoughts and anxiety about it I suppose.. I've no one around right now to talk to (and I usually just talk to one person anyways).. So this forum is a bit like therapy for me, just none of the face-to-face interaction..

Anyways.. One thing that I've noted that really gets to me.. The sound of walking... Especially hard Stomping.
I can tolerate normal, everyday sounds in most cases.. If I need a break or block, I've earplugs, headsets, and so on... Even a large fan for white noise.. But, LOUD Walking or stomping just eats right to the core of me.. My ASD daughter is the same way.. But for me, when I hear excessively loud stepping or thuds, booms, etc.. It instantly drives up my heart rate and piles on the anxiety..... Sometimes it's an instant panicked type emotion or a "I need to get away from that sound!" type reaction.... My daughter handles it ok when it's not so obvious, but she will flip out if it is something loud and repetitive.. I always feel terrible because due to her own sensory issues, she can't wear ear protection without melting down (hates things touching her ears)... I will sit with her and explain to her what she's hearing, and that it will stop or whatever... It works sometimes, other times not so much...

So how do you guys handle sounds or other sensory overloads? Methods, self distractions? etc...

Earplugs, over the ear ear protection (often use both together), headphones with music I like playing

Turning lights off

Weighted blanket

Rocking

Working on something I love (makes the whole world disappear )

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My son (10)

prefers over the ear ear protection, but will use in-ear earplugs if it's his only option

Zoning out with his iPad

Spinning

Flailing his body into things

Cuddling with select people

Holding/swinging "Stuffy" - his stuffed alligator that has been sewn up 20+ times and is barely hanging on...

I found that custom made earplugs work the best because they don't push on your ear in odd hot spots that fatigue them, not cheap but work well

https://earinc.com/product/chameleon-ears-solid-earplugs/