#The Highly Sensitive Person

[theadmiringbog]

Are You Highly Sensitive? A SELF-TEST Answer each question according to the way you feel. Answer true if it is at least somewhat true for you. Answer false if it is not very true or not at all true for you.

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Everyone, HSP or not, feels best when neither too bored nor too aroused.

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Too little arousal and one is dull, ineffective. To change that underaroused physical state, we drink some coffee, turn on the radio, call a friend, strike up a conversation with a total stranger, change careers—anything! At the other extreme, too much arousal of the nervous system and anyone will become distressed, clumsy, and confused. We cannot think; the body is not coordinated; we feel out of control. Again, we have many ways to correct the situation. Sometimes we rest. Or mentally shut down. Some of us drink alcohol or take a Valium. The

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People differ considerably in how much their nervous system is aroused in the same situation, under the same stimulation.

--

The difference is largely inherited, and is very real and normal.

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you notice levels of stimulation that go unobserved by others. This is true whether we are talking about subtle sounds, sights, or physical sensations like pain. It is not that your hearing, vision, or other senses are more acute (plenty of HSPs wear glasses). The difference seems to lie somewhere on the way to the brain or in the brain, in a more careful processing of information. We reflect more on everything. And we sort things into finer distinctions. Like those machines that grade fruit by size—we sort into ten sizes while others sort into two or three.

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This greater awareness of the subtle tends to make you more intuitive, which simply means picking up and working through information in a semiconscious or unconscious way.

--

One general rule is that when we have no control over stimulation, it is more upsetting, even more so if we feel we are someone’s victim. While music played by ourselves may be pleasant, heard from the neighbor’s stereo, it can be annoying,

--

HSPs are not in a more aroused state all the time. We are not “chronically aroused” in day-to-day life or when asleep. We are just more aroused by new or prolonged stimulation. (Being an HSP is not the same as being “neurotic”—that is, constantly anxious for no apparent reason).

--

Here are some other psychological methods useful in handling overarousal: • Reframe the situation. • Repeat a phrase, prayer, or mantra that, through daily practice, you have come to associate with deep inner calm. • Witness your overarousal. • Love the situation. • Love your overarousal.

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since we are dealing with the body, it can be an equally good idea to try a physical approach. Here’s a list of some purely physical strategies: • Get out of the situation! • Close your eyes to shut out some of the stimulation. • Take frequent breaks. • Go out-of-doors. • Use water to take the stress away. • Take a walk. • Calm your breathing. • Adjust your posture to be more relaxed and confident. • Move! • Smile softly. It’s amazing how often we forget to take action simply to get out of a situation. Or take a break.

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HSPs in particular should never underestimate the advantages of deep friendships. They do not have to be so intense, complicated, or exclusive as romantic relationships. Some conflicts can be left to work themselves out. Annoying traits can be ignored a little longer, maybe for the entire life of the relationship. And in friendship you can check out what is possible with another person without such lasting harm being done if you’re rejected or decide to reject the other. Occasionally, a romantic relationship even arises from what started as a friendship.

--

To deepen a friendship (or family relationship), use a little of what you now know about the healthy reasons people fall in love. Tell the other person you like them. And don’t hesitate to share an intense experience—go through an ordeal together, work on a project, be a team. It’s

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you’ll also share self-disclosures. When these are mutual and appropriate, they’re the fastest route to closeness.

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Actually, often it’s the non-HSP who finds us.

[etherblog-surrealist-nexus]

Unveiling the Layers: Exploring the Untold Story of Sensitivity in the Captivating Film 'Sensitive - The Untold Story

Jonathan Cohen, who contributed to my book let me know about this amazing documentary and accompanying book which delves into the world of the highly sensitive. Embark on a cinematic journey with ‘Sensitive – The Untold Story,’ a groundbreaking documentary that delves into the intrinsic trait of high sensitivity, prevalent in 1 in 5 individuals and observed across 100 diverse species. This…

[sabijnarts]

Feelings as a Highly Sensitive Person Empath

Here are my tips for you on how to prevent taking on the emotions of others! This a big struggle for most HSP and em pathy. Let's experience clarity, joy, and vitality. Instead of being overwhelmed depleted and confused. Hope it is of support on your journey. Visit us: https://www.sabijnarts.com/fp/trust-your-needs-and-feelings-as-a-highly-sensitive-person-empath

[spiritualseeker777]

[safe-haven-safe-place]

[cryptcatz]

i hate how much of my life revolves around asking myself “am i being overly sensitive/dramatic or are my feelings valid here?”. being so easily hurt and upset sucks. i feel like im too soft for this world

[justjudethoughts]

Anyone who ever feels bad for being "too sensitive" really needs to read Mansfield Park. I think, at the end of the day, the main moral of the story, even beyond the story's critique of education, is that human beings need to be sensitive. Education is what should make a person sensitive. Fanny wouldn't be Fanny if she wasn't so perceptive. She wouldn't be perceptive if she didn't feel so deeply.

[studentbyday]

I'd like to think I made it out of survival mode this semester now that I've finally caught up. But once I'm in it, I always find it hard to shake the mindset of it. As soon as I hear of deadlines, even those I actually have enough time to prepare for, I feel my chest tightening and I forget to breathe, bracing myself for... what exactly?

I can't fall behind after reading week because that's the only break we have before finals revision. Yet at the same time, if I don't exit survival mode, I will surely burn out and find it really difficult to carry on, even post-finals.

So this morning I watched this video for some inspo and one of the most important things I got from it (although everything really was a good reminder because i clearly have issues with work-life balance lol) was the different types of rest. The ones I need most right now are creative rest, mental rest, physical rest, and sensory rest (depending on how busy this week will be, how overstimulating my brain and the rest of my life outside of schoolwork will be, and how much my social media use will be).

So here are some things I want to try/restart:

Sensory rest

Wake up before everyone else does for the peace and quiet and to experience the gentle transition to sunlight (rather than have the sun's rays pierce my eyes lol)

Lie on bed, even during day whenever I need sensory rest. Not to sleep if it will throw off my sleep schedule, but just to decompress 🧸

Creative rest

Get out and soak in the nature when I wake up early since that's when the air is best

Soak in the little pleasant sensations of every day (e.g. notice the beauty in food smells and how it combines with the taste and texture, kitchen/study/any other daily life ASMR)

Read fiction first thing in the morning (will also help me wake up by being smth to look forward to...i can even read while I'm out there soaking in the nature)

Mental rest

Meditate (10-20 mins)

Write out all my remaining worries/stray thoughts at the end of the work day (WHICH CAN NOW BE AT LEAST 1 HOUR BEFORE I ACTUALLY GO TO BED)

Physical rest

Exercise to release the stress.

Sleep as much as I want, worry free since I wrote them all down well before bed and sleeping is the first step to prepare myself to tackle them all one by one

[switchthedragon]

*adds to list of things wrong with me*

[surrah698]

Yep!! I can taste textures. The way you cut them changes the texture.. therefore the taste... 🙃

[theadmiringbog]

Everyone, HSP or not, feels best when neither too bored nor too aroused.

--

Too little arousal and one is dull, ineffective. To change that underaroused physical state, we drink some coffee, turn on the radio, call a friend, strike up a conversation with a total stranger, change careers—anything! At the other extreme, too much arousal of the nervous system and anyone will become distressed, clumsy, and confused. We cannot think; the body is not coordinated; we feel out of control. Again, we have many ways to correct the situation. Sometimes we rest. Or mentally shut down. Some of us drink alcohol or take a Valium.

--

People differ considerably in how much their nervous system is aroused in the same situation, under the same stimulation.

--

The difference is largely inherited, and is very real and normal.

--

You notice levels of stimulation that go unobserved by others. This is true whether we are talking about subtle sounds, sights, or physical sensations like pain. It is not that your hearing, vision, or other senses are more acute (plenty of HSPs wear glasses). The difference seems to lie somewhere on the way to the brain or in the brain, in a more careful processing of information. We reflect more on everything. And we sort things into finer distinctions. Like those machines that grade fruit by size—we sort into ten sizes while others sort into two or three.

--

This greater awareness of the subtle tends to make you more intuitive, which simply means picking up and working through information in a semiconscious or unconscious way.

--

One general rule is that when we have no control over stimulation, it is more upsetting, even more so if we feel we are someone’s victim. While music played by ourselves may be pleasant, heard from the neighbor’s stereo, it can be annoying,

--

HSPs are not in a more aroused state all the time. We are not “chronically aroused” in day-to-day life or when asleep. We are just more aroused by new or prolonged stimulation. (Being an HSP is not the same as being “neurotic”—that is, constantly anxious for no apparent reason).

--

Here are some other psychological methods useful in handling overarousal:

• Reframe the situation.

• Repeat a phrase, prayer, or mantra that, through daily practice, you have come to associate with deep inner calm.

• Witness your overarousal.

• Love the situation.

• Love your overarousal.

--

Since we are dealing with the body, it can be an equally good idea to try a physical approach. Here’s a list of some purely physical strategies:

• Get out of the situation!

• Close your eyes to shut out some of the stimulation.

• Take frequent breaks.

• Go out-of-doors.

• Use water to take the stress away.

• Take a walk.

• Calm your breathing.

• Adjust your posture to be more relaxed and confident.

• Move!

• Smile softly.

It’s amazing how often we forget to take action simply to get out of a situation. Or take a break.

--

HSPs in particular should never underestimate the advantages of deep friendships. They do not have to be so intense, complicated, or exclusive as romantic relationships. Some conflicts can be left to work themselves out. Annoying traits can be ignored a little longer, maybe for the entire life of the relationship. And in friendship you can check out what is possible with another person without such lasting harm being done if you’re rejected or decide to reject the other. Occasionally, a romantic relationship even arises from what started as a friendship.

--

To deepen a friendship (or family relationship), use a little of what you now know about the healthy reasons people fall in love. Tell the other person you like them. And don’t hesitate to share an intense experience—go through an ordeal together, work on a project, be a team.

--

You’ll also share self-disclosures. When these are mutual and appropriate, they’re the fastest route to closeness.

--

Actually, often it’s the non-HSP who finds us.

[starlet-sky]

pay attention to how your body feels around certain people.

[punkpandapatrixk]

You are not a bad person. You are a good person who sometimes gets upset about certain things. And that’s normal. Everybody does that. But what makes a difference is your self-awareness. That you can recognise your shortcomings and are more than willing to develop yourself to transcend above and beyond~👾🛸👽🐣🪺🦉

[spiritualseeker777]

Sensitive boys too💖

[neuro-divergent-angel]

I’ve struggled with loud noises my whole life…I’m not “too sensitive”, the noises genuinely hurt me inside

credit to @/annamargarethapettersson on Insta

[complicatedconstellation-blog]