In talking with highly sensitive people on a regular basis, I have noticed that most of us require a solid roster of coping strategies for the Highly Sensitive Person (HSP) to effectively manage our nervous systems. Because HSPs have more mirror neurons and therefore take in more stimuli through all of our five senses, it's fairly normal to need more downtime and coping strategies than other non-sensitive people. ... Read More
8 Beneficial Books for the Highly Sensitive Man
While conditions are far better today for men to share their sensitivity, sensitive men face an uphill battle going against cultural norms. These eight beneficial books for the Highly Sensitive Man may shed additional light on the subject. ... Read More
Loving Fall and Hating Halloween as an HSP
If you're anything like me as a Highly Sensitive Person, you love fall more than any other season. The transition between summer and fall offers nearly perfect weather (depending on where you live), a perk in the air of change, a shift in energy, and pumpkin-spice everything. While I love fall, I hate Halloween as an HSP because this holiday tends to focus on all things scary. I have memories from my childhood of being frightened (and I scare easily), I don't like scary movies, and I don't like blood, gore, or anything related to the occult. I adore fall, but Halloween not so much.... Read More
3 Distinctions Between HSP and Autism
As you embark on a journey to understand yourself better as a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP), you may notice some overlap between traits of HSP and autism. In fact, many are unsure if they are a Highly Sensitive Person or if they are autistic, and few resources are available to give a meaningful distinction between the two.... Read More
Do Highly Sensitive People Change as They Age? (6 Ways to Support HSP Aging Process)
As a psychologist, I’m frequently asked if I believe that people can change as adults. Frankly, I don’t think I could have lasted a quarter of a century in this field if my answer weren’t an emphatic YES! Adults can and do change across their lifespans, despite the cliches of the grumpy elder who is stuck in their ways. Let’s look at HSP Aging from the research about adult development and how we can use this information to support ourselves as aging highly sensitive people (HSPs).... Read More
Downtime for HSPs: Balancing Sleep, Solitude, and Relaxation for Well-Being
Downtime for HSPs is a common area of question. We HSPs often don't look like our friends or family in terms of necessary downtime. In truth, we need more sleep than average, sometimes as much as 10 or 12 hours. We love having multiple hours a day alone, and we need good chunks of downtime to maintain our sanity and feel satisfied with life.... Read More
6 Self-Help Books for Highly Sensitive People
Self-help books for highly sensitive people can be valuable resources for individuals who experience heightened emotional responses to external stimuli. I've hand-picked some of my favorite self-help books that have appealed to me and helped me over the years. Many HSPs are naturally self-motivated to improve themselves. I've often been told that I'm extremely self-aware, which I consider to be a perk of the Highly Sensitive Person Trait. ... Read More
Curb HSP Overwhelm Through Creativity (6 Ways)
As a creative Highly Sensitive Person, overwhelm can often take over my landscape. However, I have found that incorporating creative self-care practices into my routine can help alleviate stress and calm my nervous system. In fact, you can curb HSP overwhelm through creativity. Even if you don't consider yourself a creative person, there are still ways to leverage creativity to reduce anxiety and feel more centered. In this section, I will share six of my favorite ways to creatively reduce overwhelm.... Read More
Is There a Connection Between HSP and Neurodiversity?
In recent years, many researchers, psychologists, and therapists who study the Highly Sensitive Person (HSP) have been asking the question, is there a connection between HSP and neurodiversity? As an HSP, you may have heard about the discussion of sensitivity fitting into the term, "neurodivergence" or "neurodiversity" and not know if it applies to you as a Highly Sensitive Person. ... Read More
11 Authentic Signs You Might be a Highly Sensitive Person
If you struggled during your childhood or young adulthood with the demands placed on you by your parents, your school, or your friends, you might be a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP). Children who are quieter, more reserved, less competitive, more creative, and more astute in their observations of the world around them frequently find out that they are highly sensitive. High sensitivity isn't a curse, and it's not a disorder. In this article, we aim to share authentic signs you might be a Highly Sensitive Person. ... Read More