“Highly Sensitive Persons”- Read This

Highly Sensitive Persons (HSPs) are sensitive to sounds, smells, sights, anything that involves the five senses. What’s even more unique about HSPs is that they are highly intuitive and perceptive. They pick up on things that others usually don’t. They notice subtleties in their environments and notice subtle changes. Being an HSP can have its pros as well as its cons. As you can imagine it can be highly challenging to be essentially on alert all the time. Your mind is constantly active. You also feel feelings at a deeper level which may lead to experience depressed or low mood and/or anxiety. Benefits are that you have a bit of a sixth sense that may come in handy when you need to listen to your intuition. Also, you are highly empathetic which can help you in relationships whether intimate or professional.

As a HSP myself, I had to learn how to live life as someone who is highly attuned to my surroundings, others’ emotions, and sensitive to my own feelings. It can get overwhelming, not going to lie, but there are definitely tools and strategies you can implement in order to make daily life more manageable. Below are some of my suggestions:

#1- Check in with yourself as often as you can throughout the day. This means scheduling a self-check in time if need be because it’s very easy to get distracted by daily tasks so having a reminder wouldn’t hurt. As part of your check in, ask yourself what you’re feeling and what you need at the moment. Most often, it can be needing a break, which leads us to our next one-

#2- Make sure that you are making time for yourself to take breaks and recharge. Being HSP means you are more likely to become physically (and emotionally) drained by the end of the day so make sure that you are doing something fun and relaxing outside of work. This can look like picking up a fun hobby or just enjoying some quality T.V.

#3- Use positive self-affirmations. Because we feel so deeply, it is easy to get discouraged and let down as an HSP when we see things that frustrates or upsets us, aren’t fair, etc. Hence, utilizing coping statements or positive affirmations such as “This too shall pass,” “I’ve been through this before, I can get through it again,” etc. is important.

#4- Talk with friends and family. We tend to feel a lot and therefore keeping it bottled isn’t going to be beneficial. Turn to a trusted friend, loved one, or even colleague that you can vent some of those emotions to. Note: It’s important that you pick someone who can validate your feelings instead of referring to you as “too sensitive” or make comments like “why can’t you just let it go?”

#5- Journal. Many people may be hesitant to write down their experiences, but journaling can actually be quite therapeutic. This is in fact one of my favorite go to resources. It may be hard to find someone to talk to at the moment, but that shouldn’t hold you back from sharing your feelings. A journal can be a safe space for your to reflect on your experiences, jot down your thoughts and feelings, and gain better insight.

I hope this post helps you see some of the benefits of being an HSP and how you can cope with its challenges.

Cheers,
Dr. Jessica