Contents:
They have been known to cry while watching particularly heartwarming videos about puppies on YouTube, and can really feel the feelings of others, both negative and positive. They care deeply about their friends and tend to form deep bonds with the right people.
They really appreciate a fine wine, a good meal, a beautiful song, and many of the finer things in life on a level that most people can't access. They may feel more existential angst, but they also may feel more gratitude for what they have in life, knowing that it is possibly fleeting and nothing is certain. Their lows may be lower, but their highs have the potential to be higher as well.
Much of your stress relief plan as a highly sensitive person can involve insulating yourself from too many stimuli. Put a barrier between you and sensory stimuli that feel overwhelming. Don't watch those late-night slasher movies. Stay away from people who sap your positive energy, make heavy demands on you, or make you feel bad about yourself. Set up your home as a soothing environment and a safe space for yourself emotionally.
Create some extra positive experiences in your schedule to insulate you from additional stress you may encounter.
And above all, know what triggers stress in you, and learn to avoid these things. Have you ever wondered what your personality type means? Sign up to get these answers, and more, delivered straight to your inbox.
Boterberg, Sofie; Warreyn, Petra , "Making sense of it all: The impact of sensory processing sensitivity on daily functioning of children," Personality and Individual Differences, 80— More in Theories. What Is an HSP? Stress Experience. View All. Being overwhelmed by sensory stimuli like noisy crowds, bright lights, or uncomfortable clothing Feeling the need to avoid violent movies or TV shows because they feel too intense and leave you feeling unsettled Feeling not just a preference, but a need for downtime, especially when you have hectic days; needing to retreat to a dark, quiet room Being deeply moved by beauty, either expressed in art, nature, or the human spirit, or sometimes even a good commercial Having a rich and complex inner life, complete with deep thoughts and strong feelings that go with it.
Hectic Schedules. Expectations of Others.
Personal Failures. Being Deeply Moved. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback!
Sign Up. What are your concerns?
Article Sources. Aron, E. Personality and Social Psychology Review. Continue Reading.
The Highly Sensitive Person: Books, Information, Self-tests, Events and Research . Take this test and find out if you're a Highly Sensitive Person.
What Are the Big 5 Personality Traits? Some other challenges can surface in other parts of their life such as in their health and relationships. Addiction may also be a challenge for them as they may self-medicate or numb their sensitivity with drugs, sex, food or alcohol.
In terms of relationships, a HSP might find themselves in toxic relationships or want to heal from a past breakup, but have trouble doing so. Lastly, there are environmental stimuli that HSPs are not fond of such as an open concept room design, too much noise and bright lights. Empaths are those who literally feel what another person is experiencing, which is similar to someone who identifies as an HSP.
For instance, they would most likely prefer a walk in the park than lawn tickets to a concert. If you have negative news to tell them, give them some time to process the info first, before letting them do anything or go anywhere.
Ever wonder why some folks seem overwhelmed at times while others see to manage through those markets and crowds without a care? In some cultures such as China, the HSP personality is the most highly-valued. If you are going out on Friday night, especially if it is a new or fast-paced, busy experience, fill your Saturday with relaxing activities because you will probably need time to be quiet, rest, and just think and Then my father had a mental breakdown when I was 16 and I was forced to go live with my mom and her new husband and their new baby that I never met before. Go to the top of this article, and click on my name under my photo. Perceiving the world more deeply is a gift—one that can be leveraged to spark creativity, innovation, and professional growth. I have been told by a Psychiatrist that I am highly sensitive.
HSPs get overwhelmed by all the stimuli in daily life, so remember that they may withdraw and want to be isolated. Learning more about what it means to be a HSP can help you deal with the challenges that may come with it, but also allow you to use this gift to its full potential.