SURVIVING

AS AN HIGHLY SENSITIVE PERSON

Do you feel overwhelmed by things that don’t bother most people?

 

Do you have thoughts, feelings, and sensations that you just can’t explain? In the course of a day do you sometimes feel happy and productive, then distressed, or even overwhelmed, and then feel better later?

Running lots of errands: dealing with heavy traffic: shopping at peak hours: or meeting difficult deadlines can be overwhelming.

You might be reacting to energy and emotions from people, places, and things around you.

 

What is a Highly Sensitive Person?

Highly Sensitive Persons (or HSPs) are people who tend to be very empathic, intuitive, and hypersensitive to external sensory stimuli, and have a highly emotional reactivity.

If you have this kind of sensitivity, you are probably very good at accessing your own emotions and the emotions of others. This kind of connectivity can be an asset if you work with people.

However, because you are so in tune with your environment, and other people, when life moves quickly, it can wear you out.

You might catch yourself over-analyzing situations because you feel deeply about the outcomes. You’re probably very hard-working and well-organized.

Highly sensitive people tend to do well in their careers, especially when people and leadership skills, or where insight and creativity are involved.

You’ll need to find time to decompress. 

Noisy, busy environments, like crowded shopping malls can wreck your nervous system. Packed schedules and high-pressure situations, will also take their toll.

If you know you’re going to encounter a string of difficult situations, you will want to plan to decompress afterwards.

Create meaningful relationships

You’re at your best when you’re deeply involved with another person who can relate to you at a deeper level. Lots of “lighter” relationships might not work. But a few meaningful relationships will be important.

You’re good at understanding what works for other people because of your intuitive abilities. You tend to feel happy when you’re helping others feel happy.

Give yourself time to get things done.

Be careful not to rush through too many activities. Stay aware of the pace you’re keeping and slow it down if you feel it might overwhelm you.

Highly sensitive people will often have trouble in the mornings getting up, making coffee, breakfast, showering and getting out the door. Give yourself extra time to get to work.

On the weekends, take full advantage of the days when you can sleep later and move at your own pace. Ask to work from home, if you can. You need to take care of yourself.

Make sure you get plenty of sleep.

If you have a high sensitivity, try to get at least seven hours of sleep at night. You’ll need to sleep deeply to process what happens during the day.

You’ll want to give yourself a couple of hours to unwind before you go to sleep. Don’t try to work right up to your bedtime. Don’t try exercise right up to your bedtime.

Sensitive people need to find a relaxing activity before bedtime like reading, listening to music, or watching TV. Without plenty of sleep, every little stressor will feel ten times worse.

Create your own private workspace.

As a highly sensitive person your mood will vary depending on your environment.

Generally, highly sensitive people like a fairly quiet space where they won’t be too distracted. You’ll probably want a workspace that is clean, organized, and uncluttered.

Most likely you won’t want bright flickering lights overhead. You’ll want to be able to draw the blinds and turn on some desk lamps.

You might design the space so it overlooks a soothing environment. If you can’t do that, think about hanging up calming photos or paintings. You need to feel centered while working at home.

Remember to be compassionate to yourself

Don’t beat yourself up because you missed a meeting, got a rejection, or didn’t place in a competition. Find a way to manage your expectations, slow your pace, and avoid overwhelming scenarios.

I also recommend you schedule events and activities you know you’ll enjoy. Go to concerts, go out to movies with friends, go to the gym, swim in the ocean, go surfing, read books, watch TV, or have sex.

Put some of these activities on your calendar where you’ll see them.  Schedule down time.

Always have something to look forward to.

I hope you find these ideas helpful in managing your sensitivity.

If you’re still having problems, call for your free 20 minute phone consult.

Please call today

310-850-4707