Global food prices surged in March to a multi-month high. The United Nations warns of further increases if the Middle East conflict persists. Higher energy costs are impacting fertilizer prices, potentially leading farmers to reduce planting
‘Nothing but contempt’: Gujarat HC pulls up GPSC in Arthashastra question caseIn previous proceedings, the high court had asked GPSC to produce the original book from which the question was framed, the 1915 English translation of the Arthashastra Published on: Apr 03
NCRTC (National Capital Region Transport Corporation) has commissioned the Delhi–Meerut Namo Bharat Corridor's largest fast electric vehicle (EV) charging station at Anand Vihar station. Good News For EV Owners: The long-time taken in charging the Electric Vehicles at public charging spots have
The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI) has issued draft regulations requiring company promoters who have guaranteed corporate loans to disclose their personal wealth during bankruptcy proceedings. Under the proposal, whether these promoters file for bankruptcy voluntarily or are forced
CSK vs PBKS, Chennai Weather: Chennai Super Kings aim for a strong comeback in their first home game of IPL 2026 against Punjab Kings after a disappointing opening loss. Punjab Kings, last season's finalists, enter with momentum and a balanced squad
Therapist shares how to manage festive overstimulation in kids as parents
Navratri and Durga Puja bring a wave of excitement across homes and communities, with nine days of devotion, music, lights, rituals, and endless celebrations. Yet, what makes the season so exhilarating can also make it overwhelming. From loud sounds and flashing lights to packed schedules and constant socialising, the festivities often become overstimulating for both children and adults, leaving many struggling to balance joy with calm.
Also Read | Therapist shares 3 strategies to set boundaries, deal with intrusive questions and family expectations this Navratri
In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr Mansi Poddar, a trauma-informed psychotherapist and mental health expert with over 15 years of experience, points out how overwhelming festive celebrations can sometimes be, and suggests ways to manage the overstimulation so that families can enjoy the season without feeling drained.
The festive season is full of joy and excitement but sometimes, the sensory overstimulation might get all too overwhelming for kids and adults alike. According to Dr Poddar, “Lights, sounds, new routines, and social expectations may overwhelm a person's nervous system especially for a sensitive person or one who is neuro divergent.” She highlights that it might be stressful to manage and suggests healthy ways you can deal with it.
Dr Poddar stresses that the first step to help your kids is to check in with your own mental state: “Your calm presence will help your child feel safe.” You can support your children's mental wellbeing only when you're in a balanced state yourself. When you have that in place, the therapist's advice is to establish familiar patterns or predictable rhythms for your kids. “Your child may not be able to have the same routine as when they are in school, but there is no reason not to anchor them to something predictable, like meals, quiet-time, or their bed-time routine, for as long as you can,” she explains.
It is also important to identify the things that work for you and your family - you don't have to participate in every event or attend every celebration. The therapist recommends, “You can help kids by verbally narrating their experiences; say things like, ‘I notice it's getting loud in here. Want to step outside for a break?' Narrating concepts like this will help your child learn emotional literacy and self-awareness.”
Dr Poddar also suggests some calming strategies that will help ground your kids: “Bring a calming toolkit. Pack snacks, headphones, or a favourite toy to soothe your child during transitions. Encourage a quiet-time break, preferably without screens after gatherings or activities.”
Also Read | Feeling lonely this Navratri? Therapist shares 6 tips to navigate through loneliness this festive season
Taking breaks not only benefits your kids but also gives you much-needed calm too, which can be deeply soothing. Dr Poddar points out, “It's important to remind yourself that overstimulation does not equal bad behaviour. Those reactions are simply indicating to their (the kids') nervous system that they need to settle down.” While taking care of your children's needs is a duty, it is also important to extend the same kindness and compassion to yourself. The therapist emphasises, “If you find that you are overwhelmed, do not hesitate to check in on yourself by taking a pause to breathe or ask yourself ‘What do I need right now?' Modeling self-care will help teach your child resilience in the face of overwhelm more than any holiday tradition ever could.”
Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
Source: HindustanTimes
Related Posts: 8 AI Prompts To Create Perfect Durga Puja & Navratri Outfits And Makeup Nita Ambani's stunning Navratri look features all ‘9 colours of Goddess Durga’ Elaborate security measures in place for Durga Puja carnival in Kolkata Google Gemini Durga Puja trend Tripura CM Manik Saha inaugurates several Durga Puja Pandals in Agartala UP Durga Puja Pandal Uses Blue Drum Display To Portray Infamous Meerut Murder Case Happy Durga Puja 2025 Bengal govt to disburse early salaries ahead of Durga puja This Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata paid tribute to Raja Ravi Varma and his legacy Kolkata Durga Puja holidays preponed in schools after 11 dead amid heavy rain
Neurosurgeon explains why wearing earplugs at concerts can prevent dementia: ‘Hearing loss is the no. 1 risk factor…’Exposure to loud sounds not only accelerates hearing loss, but has cognitive repercussions. Dr Juthani explains why even short term exposure is harmful. Published on: Apr 03
2 hours ago
Enzo Fernandez will sit out Chelsea's next two games after he "crossed a line" with comments he made about his future at the club, says manager Liam Rosenior. After Chelsea's exit from the Champions League last month, Fernandez told ESPN that he did not know whether he would remain at Stamford
2 hours ago
Of the 722 candidates contesting in the upcoming Assam Assembly elections, 102, or 14% of them, have declared criminal cases against themselves, the non-governmental organisation Association for Democratic Reforms has said in a report. In the 2021 Assembly elections, 138 of 941 candidates
2 hours ago
The controversy over Karnataka’s decision to award only grades — without marks — for the third language in SSLC examinations has intensified, with Raj Bhavan directing the state government to re-examine the policy following concerns raised by language preservation groups
2 hours ago
Parliament on Thursday passed Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2026, to amend certain provisions in different laws for decriminalising and rationalising minor offences to further promote ease of doing business and living. It seeks to decriminalise 717 provisions and amend 67 provisions
2 hours ago
Chinese smartphone-maker Vivo has confirmed that its Vivo T5 Pro 5G will launch in India. The tech firm confirmed the imminent launch of its latest addition to the T-lineup on Friday. Vivo is yet to reveal the launch timeline. This smartphone will succeed the Vivo T4 Pro 5G
2 hours ago
If that math holds at scale, the demand for GPUs — Nvidia's entire empire — could shrink dramatically. New Delhi: Every AI model — ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude — thinks using something called vectors. Think of vectors as the model's "memory notes." When you ask an AI a long question
2 hours ago
If inflation breaches the upper tolerance band of 6 per cent, the bank said there could be a rate hike towards the end of the year. New Delhi: The Middle East conflict and elevated oil prices will likely lead to the Reserve Bank of India maintaining the policy repo rate unchanged at 5
2 hours ago
For Kerala State volleyball players and former students of CMS College, Kottayam, Akhil GP, Muhammed Sahad S, and Anzil KA, discussions after games and practice often took the entrepreneurial route — different business endeavours they could venture into after graduation
2 hours ago
Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) all-rounder Nitish Kumar, who contributed a 24-ball 39 and two wickets in his team’s first win of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Thursday (April 2, 2026)
2 hours ago
Maamla Legal Hai 2 Review: At a time when streaming platforms have loads of thrillers, action and horror shows/films, it is difficult to find a good slice-of-life, comedy drama. But for this weekend, you don’t have to dig deep. Why? Because Maamla Legal Hai 2 has now been released
2 hours ago
Myanmar junta chief Min Aung Hlaing won a parliamentary vote on Friday (April 3, 2026) to become the country’s President, formalising his grip on political power in the war-torn nation five years after he ousted an elected government. The 69-year-old general orchestrated a 2021 coup against
2 hours ago
Gurgaon couple’s 2:30 am stroll in gated society goes viral: ‘We upgraded our life’A Gurgaon couple posted a late night walk clip at 2:30 am, calling it a lifestyle upgrade as users reacted to safety in societies. Updated on: Apr 03, 2026 5:13 PM IST By Mahipal Singh Chouhan Share via Copy
2 hours ago
Just seven days after he made the fateful decision to launch his coup against the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi on 1 February 2021, General Min Aung Hlaing made a promise; to hold elections, and return to civilian rule, within a year. It has taken him five years to fulfil that promise
2 hours ago
New Delhi, Apr 3 (PTI) The CAQM Enforcement Task Force reviewed reports from 175 inspections and enforcement carried out in the National Capital Region area between March 14 and 26 at its 128th meeting. Based on the reports, closures have been proposed for 10 units
2 hours ago
Hollywood star Keira Knightley revealed on the Happy Mum Happy Baby podcast that her hair’s texture shifted from straight to a “funny zig-zag patch" during pregnancy. In a long conversation, she also gave voice to a phenomenon that millions of women experience but few understand
2 hours ago
The Indian Premier League has established itself as one of the premier sports leagues globally. Arun Dhumal has stated that once the current Future Tours Programme cycle concludes in 2027, talks will commence regarding the expansion of the IPL schedule
2 hours ago
Ahaan Panday has officially begun filming for his second project, an untitled action-romance directed by Ali Abbas Zafar. Mumbai: Director Ali Abbas Zafar, who is known for ‘Sultan’, has flagged off the shooting of his upcoming film with Ahaan Panday
2 hours ago
Tiger Woods told police he was on the phone with “the President" immediately after his car crash in Florida and then appeared surprised when he was arrested, body camera footage released Thursday shows. Video of the immediate aftermath of last week’s rollover crash
2 hours ago
Hyundai Motor said on Friday (April 3, 2026) that exports to Europe and North Africa, which typically transit through the West Asia, were being disrupted by the conflict in the region, underscoring growing strains on global supply chains. The disruption highlights how the conflict is
2 hours ago
Indians are bracing for summer, with temperatures expected to cross 45C in some parts of the country. But the war with Iran is already putting India's $6bn bottled water industry under strain as manufacturers struggle to access crucial raw materials. Last month
2 hours ago
Kia has revealed the new Seltos hybrid for the US market and the new generation Seltos will have a hybrid powertrain for the first time. The new Seltos in the US has a hybrid which means it has a 1.6 litre petrol engine and an electric motor while also getting an AWD option for the hybrid
2 hours ago
‘Called at 1 am, help arrived in 10 minutes’: Founder lauds Delhi Police for quick response to noise complaintA founder praised Delhi Police after officers responded within minutes to a 1 am noise complaint and resolved the issue promptly. Published on: Apr 03
2 hours ago
New Delhi: In a significant development, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has allowed residents as well as non-residents to exchange Indian rupee notes at foreign exchange counters at departure halls in international airports established in the Duty-Free Area or Security Hold Area beyond the
2 hours ago
India Housing Market 2026: India’s housing market is increasingly driven by end-users, with genuine homebuyers leading demand amid rising registrations and strong growth. While investors remain active in premium segments, the overall market is now more stable, balanced
2 hours ago
The Aam Aadmi Party was focusing on “serious” national problems plaguing the country, rather than the “soft” matters discussed by MP Raghav Chadha, said the party’s Delhi unit chief Saurabh Bharadwaj on Friday. His statement came soon after Chadha alleged that the AAP was “silencing”
2 hours ago
Editorial independence is core to our work. Some links may earn us a commission, without influencing our opinions.Confused about chimney size? These 60cm chimneys by Faber, Elica, Kaff, more are ideal for most Indian homesThese chimneys come with BLDC motors that offer high suction power while
2 hours ago
