Grace Mayer/Insider
- Starting November 10, Walmart will have "sensory-friendly" hours between 8 and 10 a.m. at its stores.
- During that time, US Walmarts will dim the overhead lights and turn off the music.
- Low-sensory environments can be more calming for people with conditions like autism, ADHD, and PTSD.
Starting today, your local Walmart will look slightly different inside during the mornings. Your local location will now start off the day a little quieter and less bright.
Back by popular demand, Walmart announced earlier this week that "sensory-friendly hours" are now a permanent fixture at all locations in the US and Puerto Rico. Sensory-friendly hours were first given a test run during back-to-school season. And after "overwhelmingly positive" reception, sensory-friendly hours will now be a daily occurrence.
During that period of the morning, stores will dim some of the lights in the store, turn off the music, and have screens on the TV wall play a "static image," according to Walmart. Starting today, November 10, sensory-friendly hours will occur every day from 8 a.m.-10 a.m. Sensory-friendly hours appear to be here to stay, as Walmart says there is "no planned end date."
Grace Mayer/Insider
Walmart says many customers loved the changes and asked the company to keep the sensor-friendly hours. Much of the feedback seems to have come from parents of children with autism.
Things like bright lights, loud music, and big crowds can cause sensory overload. People with autism, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are more likely to experience sensory overload.
Sensory overload can be very physically and emotionally distressing for the person experiencing it, experts previously told Insider. It can cause irritability, trouble focusing, a racing heart, exhaustion, and a strong desire to escape whatever situation the person is in.
Though people with certain conditions may be the main target of sensory-friendly hours, anyone is welcome to shop. If you normally find that Walmart is a little too chaotic for your liking, you might want to try an early-morning run.