Tag Archives: highly sensitive people

Life Hacks For The Highly Sensitive (Part 1)

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In yesterday’s post about highly sensitive people (HSPs), we promised some hints on how to better manage hypersensitive traits for better quality of life. Here are the first batch:

  1. Stop trying to change yourself. Most HSPs spend plenty of time wondering what is wrong with them. Why do you cry during that one commercial? Why can’t you watch violent movies? Why do seemingly insignificant things bother you so much? Hey, you are what you are! Nothing is wrong with you, nothing is broken. You just have to learn to make your HSP-ness work for you! You’re unique, and that is always cool. It is okay to walk against the current. Embrace your hypersensitivity, just learn to train it a little so you have a more comfortable life.
  2. Reacquaint yourself with nature. HSPs are usually pretty in sync with nature. Not all, but many HSPs are spiritual and feel calmer and more comfortable outdoors, so try to get out more. The vitamin D alone is a great reason, but it may also help you regulate your thoughts and emotions.
  3. Reframe your HSP traits. It is easy for us HSPs to pick on ourselves. While we may see positives easily in others, we are our own worst enemies and usually focus too much energy on our own faults and flaws. Instead of berating yourself for letting your thoughts spiral, try to rewrite your internal dialogue to think positively about yourself. Remind yourself of all the awesome traits you possess because of your highly sensitive nature. These may include conscientiousness, social and global awareness, creativity, a curious and inquisitive mind, extra empathy or perhaps altruistic nature.
  1. Learn to corral your natural tendency to be the best. You’re the front line of help for everyone you love, the keenest student in class, the most over-the-top employee. Giving all of yourself to every task you do has consequences. It is good to have that ‘go-getter’ spirit, but if you don’t learn to slow down and moderate it you will burn out, and may even end up with physical health problems from running yourself into the ground.
  2. Tailor your habits to suit your HSP needs. If you find bustling crowds stressful, try running your errands outside ‘normal’ hours, like doing your grocery shopping an hour before the store closes so the store will be much less crowded. Try catching a weekday movie instead of a peak night showing. If you’re more comfortable in smaller groups, factor that into your social plans. It is okay to accommodate yourself.

  3. Pay attention to your body’s unique needs. You should change dietary habits that may be wearing on you such as too much caffeine, artificial colors or additives – HSPs often have allergies and food intolerances because they are generally physically hypersensitive as well as mentally and emotionally. Eat healthy so you will have more energy (HSPs often struggle with fatigue). Also, be sure you don’t overexert yourself and end up needing to spend too much time recovering. HSPs are usually all-or-nothing which can be detrimental when it comes to exercise. Try low-key exercises, such as yoga which will be easier on your body also help to quell your mind a little and center you before or after a long day.
  4. Take time for your favourite small pleasures. Love cuddling? Reading? Coloring? Allow yourself some time each day for the little things that make you happy and get those endorphins flowing. This will help block out stress and negativity that you may gather throughout the day. Hobbies are important outlets for HSPs as many of us are creative and need to purge all the pent up emotion or anxiety. Making art or woodworking are good ways to do that but really, most any productive hobby will do!

Thanks for visiting DocChat! Keep an eye out for HSP Life Hacks Part 2 in the future!

 

 

 

 

Are You A Highly Sensitive Person?

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To start this train in motion, here are a few questions for you to consider:

  • Do you feel overwhelmed by loud noises, crowds, smells and bright lights?
  • Do you almost always put the needs and wants of others ahead of your own?
  • Are you an extremely harsh self-critic with a hint of perfectionism?
  • Are you highly affected by the moods of others, good or bad?
  • Have you always felt different than others and wondered what your deal was?

Okay, one more question…have you ever heard the term Highly Sensitive Person (HSP)?

Is HSP A Real Thing?

Drs. Arthur and Elaine Aron developed the psychological theory of sensory processing sensitivity (SPS) in the mid 90’s to explain and describe HSPs. It is now a recognized psychological term. Like anything, there are critics of the theory, but most professionals recognize it as an excellent term to describe the hypersensitive souls of the world. In 1997, Dr. Elaine Aron developed the Highly Sensitive Person scale as a tool to help assess whether someone is highly sensitive. According to the Dr. Elaine Aron, up to 20% of the population are varying degrees of highly sensitive and among those, 70% are largely introverted.

“You’re Way Too Sensitive, Just Get Over It!”

One of the curses of being highly sensitive is constantly feeling the tiny knife jabs of comments like “You get way too caught up on things”, “Why don’t you just get over it?”, “You overthink yourself crazy!” Yes, we realize that we overthink, but even though we sometimes get stuck on things, our capacity for deep thought also has its merits. However, it is tough when the slightest negative comment hits you like a sack of bricks when it wouldn’t faze the next person. HSPs have a difficult time moving on from hurtful comments or situations. Most people don’t understand the intricate, intensive and overwhelming HSP thought process. Our society unfortunately values the ‘suck it up’ system. It isn’t fashionable to over-feel.

HSP Men – An Even Harder Time

HSP men have even more difficulty in this area since being hypersensitive goes against the sexist cultural standard that men should ‘toughen up” and ‘soldier on’. Society is slightly more accepting of very sensitive women than of HSP men. This unfair stigma has to change. Even though there has been progress as gender roles are finally breaking down so people can just be people, society still has a long way to go.

Helpful Lifehacks For HSPs

Life can be exhausting when you are emotionally, physically and mentally hypersensitive. It is draining to be hung up on so many things that many others wouldn’t even spare a passing thought on. This is especially the case since most HSPs usually put their needs and care last. But there are ways to make quality of life much better and use being highly sensitive to your favour instead of to your detriment. So keep an eye out for our next post “Lifehacks For The Highly Sensitive” for essential tips on how to be your healthiest, happiest self as a highly sensitive person, as well as some resources to learn more about the topic.

Thanks for visiting DocChat! We hope you’ll tune in later for HSP Part 2!