Have you ever been told that you are too sensitive, too touchy, that you take things too personally, or even that you are too nice to people? I hear these things on a daily basis and if you have been told these things, chances are you could be a Highly Sensitive Person too. We are all sensitive to some degree; however, some of us are HSP (Highly Sensitive Persons). I am HSP. What is HSP and how do you get it? This is what I have learned about HSP. First, let me clarify that HSP is not a disorder, condition, or diagnosis, it’s a personality trait also known as sensory processing sensitivity (SPS) and approximately 15% to 20% of the population are HSP. Highly Sensitive People process all information more deeply including all types of stimuli such as emotions, what they see, hear, feel, and touch and are aware of subtleties that other people miss.
HSPs, introverts, and empaths are categorized together most of the time and some people believe that they are all the same thing. The fact of the matter is that even though they have some of the same traits, they are each uniquely different from one another.
Below I explain each of them and some of their uniqueness:
Introverts actually love being with other people however they prefer smaller gatherings over big ones. This is because introverts tend to get tired quicker in social settings and need greater time to recharge.
An empath is a person who's extraordinarily aware of the feelings of those around them, and they experience those feelings alongside them. It is tough for many empaths to experience this at first because it can take them years to learn how to control or turn it down when they need to.
Highly Sensitive People process every bit of information they acquire very deeply and sometimes they get overloaded or overstimulated because they are processing so much information at once. HSPs pick up on emotional cues such as body language, facial expressions, and/or tone of voice. They have the ability to notice the smallest of details and connections that most people overlook. Much like empaths, they have an immense amount of empathy for others.
Being HSP, an introvert, and an empath brings adversity and challenges of some kind or another on a daily basis. I have been blessed to be able to learn a lot of techniques to help me face various types of adversities and challenges in different kinds of situations. I haven’t ever really had a good support system, nor do I know anyone that I could go to for support or just to talk things over with. When I did find a willing ear, they mostly thought I was losing my mind or told me I have a vivid imagination. I have even been called a crazy old lady. Everybody needs someone to talk to at some point in their lives, wouldn’t you agree?
Now that you have a better understanding of HSP, as well as introverts and empaths, I want to share with you some of the techniques I have learned and use personally in my day-to-day life. I use all of these techniques and sometimes I use 2 or more techniques at the same time to complement one another, as well as have a stronger lasting effect. I hope that you find them as useful as I have.
Candle Gazing - For releasing negative energy that is bogging me down.
EFT (Emotional Freedom Tapping) - For when I feel unsure or have anxiety about a situation or experience I have had or am having in my life
Meditation - To get centered and to calm my mind.
Journaling - This is an awesome way to release caged or buried emotions or how I feel about things (good and bad.) I have several journals for different things like business plans and ideas, memories, self-improvement, time management, and my goals and dreams.
Self-Hypnosis - I use to change bad habits into good ones, gain confidence, let go of fears, and increase relaxation.
Aromatherapy - I use this for focus and concentration issues, relaxation, and to calm my mind as well as a few other things.
Breath work - I use this to relieve stress, feeling overwhelmed or emotionally drained.
Self-care - This is a necessity and not a want nor is it selfish. I use it to regenerate, refresh, replenish myself, and reward myself for all that I do and have accomplished recently.
Mindfulness- I use this to help others with loving kindness. I keep a compassionately open heart and a non-judgmental mind, and loving arms for comfort. This is my favorite Breath works; I created it and have been using it ever since then.
Beauty and Love - I pause and take 3 deep breaths to ease my anxiety when I am at work or in public. It is very effective and simple; I look all around and as I inhale a deep breath in I say to myself or out loud “Inhale beauty” and “Exhale love.” I repeat it 3 or 4 times and whatever I was doing this for has disappeared.
I learned to embrace the unknown when I decided to go back to school at 56 years old. Now I am a student at the Southwest Institute of Healing Arts. I am in the Integrative Healing Arts online program and I graduate in June of 2023. I have learned the modalities of Hypnotherapy, Aromatherapy, Spiritual Coaching, Ceremonies, Rituals, Prayer, Entrepreneurship, and EFT Tapping. Currently, I am taking classes in Resilience Building, Influencers, and building our own Practice. I am looking forward to the upcoming classes I will be taking in my program. I discovered what some of my gifts are, and I am learning to build them up and how to use them, so I can be prepared to share them with the world and help others. I have had to make some very big changes in my life for my greatest good, and I believe that being a Highly Sensitive Person is a gift and that being an introvert helps me not absorb negativity or other people's emotions.
