Dealing with the heat
Yesterday I had to deal with the excessive heat with only a fan pointed at my face. The experience was one I dealt with a lot as a kid. Because I haven't yet been formally diagnosed with Autism, yesterday was particularly enlightening.
The fan was one thing, but the rest of my body was still mildly sweaty. On top of that, any time I left my room I was sweating (the rest of the house is WAY too warm). The fan kept blowing my hair into my eyes, and I was starting to get frustrated. I reached a point at about 4PM where I was totally inconsolable. I was fidgety, agitated, easily *** off by any tiny thing, and refusing to really talk at all.
It was enlightening because I know I've had these before, but with my present knowledge of Autism and my current level of self-awareness, I was able to give myself grace. Knowing what a shutdown feels like was very helpful, and while I don't yet know how to cope with them, I can give myself kindness and understanding.
All of this is huge for me for two reasons: (1) I was conditioned from early on that I just needed to "suck it up" and (2) I'm able to be conscious of what's happening in my body without immediate judgement. That's all! I just wanted to share 😊💖
NOTE: I wouldn't mind suggestions on how to cope with shutdowns if anyone has anything that works for them.
I feel like this post was intended to convince myself I'm dealing with this well. I'm not...
I was so tired last night that I slept 9 hours last night, and I couldn't get out of bed for, like, 2 hours after. I'm doing alright at giving myself grace for essentially just sitting here all weekend, but I am miserable.
Any advice would be so so SO appreciated!
@HappySpecter
I'm autistic, and little things like this can send me into a spiraly grumpy meltdown too <3
Mask. Mask when you're not feeling 100%. And I'm talking about an actual, physical mask. Like during COVID.
Believe it or not, it helps. Regulating my breathing makes me freak out less, I don't feel like I have to fake my emotions, and it just lets me calm down. It really helps on bad anxiety days, too, because it won't allow me to hyperventilate; there's less air flow, so it forces you to breathe evenly.
Hope this helps <3
@jesusredeemedme2425 I don't think that I'd want to wear a mask during intense heat, but I think this is a great idea in other scenarios. Thank you!
Oh sorry, I didn’t think about that part XD
I wear one to work. We have AC, so it’s cooler inside than outside <3 No one questions it because… COVID. Lol… Everyone masks now. No one cares lol
@HappySpecterThank you for sharing your experience—it’s really powerful to recognize and give yourself grace during a shutdown. Understanding what’s happening in your body and mind without judgment is a big step. For coping with shutdowns, some strategies that many autistic people find helpful include: - Creating a quiet, dim, and comfortable space where you can retreat and reduce sensory input. - Using weighted blankets or soft textures for calming sensory input. - Having a trusted person to be with you or check in if you want support. - Using calming techniques like deep breathing, gentle rocking, or listening to soothing music or white noise. - Preparing a “shutdown kit” with items that help you feel safe and calm (water, fidget toys, headphones, etc.). - Allowing yourself permission to rest and not push through when your body needs a break. It’s great that you’re learning to be kind to yourself through these experiences. If you want, I can help you build a personalized coping plan or find more resources. Would you like that?