In graduate school, I learned through personal experience how resilience in the face of challenge is something that can be learned and developed through the process of navigating life's challenges head-on. The American Psychological Association defines resilience as “the process and outcome of successfully adapting to difficult or challenging life experiences, especially through mental, emotional, and behavioral flexibility and adjustment to external and internal demands.” Many highly sensitive people can learn to successfully navigate life's challenges by enhancing their resilience.... Read More
3 Surprising HSP Benefits of Connecting with Nature
Small or large, salty or fresh, waves connect me to nature. And like most highly sensitive people (HSPs), being connected to nature is very good for my body, mind, and spirit. You might be interested in these three surprising HSP benefits of connecting with nature. I hope they encourage you to take regular time to connect with nature. ... Read More
7 Presentations of Both High Sensitivity and Trauma
There’s a segment of the population that experiences life more vividly, more emotionally, and overall more sensitively. These Highly Sensitive People (HSPs) exhibit distinguishable characteristics, many of which are similar, if not seemingly identical, to symptoms of trauma. For HSPs with a background of trauma, one question understandably arises: Can trauma cause high sensitivity? In this article, we'll look at seven presentations of both high sensitive and trauma to see if we can shed more light on these topics.... Read More
Silencing HSP Negative Self-Talk in 4 Simple Steps
As an extremely self-aware highly sensitive person (HSP), I have realized that over the years, I have spent an exorbitant amount of time listening to my internal negative self-talk and even more time analyzing why my inner-critic speaks so loudly, where it came from, when did that voice start, and how the blazes do I shut it up. Silencing HSP negative self-talk is no easy task, to say the least.... Read More
New Study Reveals the Impact of Psychological Stress on HSPs
Recent studies in health psychology suggest a potential link between sensory processing sensitivity (SPS) and and the impact of psychological stress. SPS is the clinical name for the highly sensitive person (HSP) trait, as researched by Dr. Elaine Aron. This interesting study conducted by Jordan Buren and Dr. Grant Benham was reported by Sensitivity Research, one of the only research institutions devoted to the HSP trait. ... Read More
4 Strategies to Equip Yourself When Oversensitive to Criticism
If you’re a highly sensitive person, the word “criticism” might make you cringe. You may even consider it a dirty word. What others think to be constructive and helpful criticism can feel like destructive criticism to an HSP. In this article, we’ll explore why HSPs often struggle with criticism and offer some strategies for how to equip yourself when oversensitive to criticism.... Read More
7 Ways to Build Inner Strength for HSPs With Self-Talk
Amidst the cacophony of modern life, the practice of using self-talk to build inner strength emerges as a precious commodity, particularly for the highly sensitive person who navigates the world with heightened sensitivity. This article delves into the nuances of self-talk dispelling myths, and illuminates its profound influence on emotional equilibrium, especially for those attuned to life's subtleties.... Read More
Exploring Self-Acceptance for Sensitive People
Understanding your high sensitivity can be a transformative journey toward self-acceptance. Those of us who grew up highly sensitive and didn't know this was a part of our personality, wind up needing to do a fair amount of work on themselves as adults learning to embrace self-acceptance as a highly sensitive person (HSP). When the messages you received during your formative years were negative, as an adult, you want to do the hard work to recognize what was and embrace what is. Exploring the areas in your past and present where you can recognize "what is" and accept yourself as you are is an invaluable skill to learn.... Read More
3 Energy Techniques for Greater HSP Resilience
Even highly sensitive people who have a regular wellness routine (be it yoga, meditation, connection with nature, grounding) can get knocked off center, and become drained or overwhelmed. When this happens, it’s normal to try and understand why. While perhaps not innate for all HSPs, many possess something I like to call, HSP resilience.... Read More
How to Create Your Personal Wellness Team: 12 Must-Haves
I've had a chronic health condition for over 20 years, and have always needed more support for my sensitivity than my peers. Along my path of mental and physical health management, I coined this idea of my own personal "HSP wellness team." It's not easy being sensitive and needing more emotional, physical, and spiritual support on a daily basis. While having the sensory processing sensitivity (SPS) trait (commonly known as the highly sensitive person trait) is a blessing not a curse, building your very own personal HSP wellness team to rally around you can provide the highest level of support for all your HSP needs.... Read More