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7 Ways to Embrace Winter as a Highly Sensitive Person

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For Highly Sensitive People (HSPs), the change in seasons can be a time of delight or dread. 

For folks living in hotter climates, the fall and winter bring about a welcome reprieve from the oppressive heat and sweltering humidity.  Yet, for others, the change means colder weather, shorter days, and less sunshine.

Most Highly Sensitive people are very in tune with their environment and the seasons.  Often these changes bring about difficult emotions. Winter can mean isolation because you aren’t socializing as much.  Loneliness, shame, or anger may surface as you feel the impending holidays that may or may not be nourishing to you. Continue reading “7 Ways to Embrace Winter as a Highly Sensitive Person” →

For Therapists: 6 Reasons Highly Sensitive People (HSPs) Matter to Your Therapy Practice

Arianna Smith1 Comment

If you aren’t familiar with the term Highly Sensitive Person (HSP) it refers to about 15-20% of the population who possess a unique sensory processing trait which allows them to pick up more on subtleties in the environment, resulting in deeper processing and often being easily overwhelmed with stimuli. HSPs are often gifted with having a rich inner life, complex imagination, and deep empathy for others. Continue reading “For Therapists: 6 Reasons Highly Sensitive People (HSPs) Matter to Your Therapy Practice” →

HSP Questions: Is Medication Right For Me?

Arianna Smith3 Comments
I am not a doctor or psychiatrist offering medical advice.  This article should not replace talking with a medical professional.

Highly Sensitive People (HSPs) are wired to be in tune with their environment, the emotions of others, and their inner world. They have the capacity to experience deep joy and savor the subtleties of their experiences.  Simultaneously, they have the propensity to be overwhelmed by sensory information, the emotions of others, and the acute suffering of the world. Continue reading “HSP Questions: Is Medication Right For Me?” →

HSP Book Review: Quiet Girl in a Noisy World: An Introvert’s Story by Debbie Tung

A book for the rest of us.

Arianna Smith1 Comment
In case you’re wondering, I don’t receive any compensation for book reviews.  It’s about sharing my love of books with the world and, let’s be honest, to justify buying more books.  I encourage you to check out the following book from your library or purchase from a local book store.  

As a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP), I love getting lost in an amazing book.  Also, from time to time, I will dip my toe into the world of graphic novels, much like the book I’m reviewing today. Continue reading “HSP Book Review: Quiet Girl in a Noisy World: An Introvert’s Story by Debbie Tung” →

4 Reasons Yoga is Ideal for Highly Sensitive People (HSPs)

Arianna Smith3 Comments
If you aren’t familiar with the term “Highly Sensitive Person” or “HSP” it refers to about 15-20% of the population who possess a unique sensory processing trait which allows them to pick up more on subtleties in the environment, resulting in deeper processing and often being easily overwhelmed with stimuli. HSPs often feel emotions more intensely and deeply. Most people exist on a spectrum of sensitivity, with about 1 in 5 HSPs who are considered High Sensation Seeking.  Learn more about HSPs here.

The past six months has been an intentional shift to slow down my life.  I left my job, moved to a new city, and started a business – all in the pursuit of a simpler life, more in alignment with my sensitive temperament, my passion, and my values.

Continue reading “4 Reasons Yoga is Ideal for Highly Sensitive People (HSPs)” →

Fitting Self-Care into Your Busy Schedule

Arianna Smith4 Comments

In today’s age, we have an unlimited amount of distractions and obligations vying for our attention. We are tasked with doing more, being more, and having more. We feel the pressure to “have it all” – which may include owning a home or business, being employed full-time, running a household, caring for our aging parents, being romantic with our partners, raising children, being active in our community, and more.

Despite these amazing opportunities to create and engage in the world, we still don’t have any more hours in the day than we did 20 years ago. Time and energy are precious resources and they are stretched thin.

So what happens when self-care is the last thing on your mind? Continue reading “Fitting Self-Care into Your Busy Schedule” →

HSP Questions: Am I Ruminating or Processing?

What happens when processing turns into rumination?

Arianna Smith9 Comments
If you aren’t familiar with the term “Highly Sensitive Person” or “HSP” it refers to about 15-20% of the population who possess a unique sensory processing trait which allows them to pick up more on subtleties in the environment, resulting in deeper processing and often being easily overwhelmed with stimuli. Most people exist on a spectrum of sensitivity, with about 1 in 5 HSPs who are considered High Sensation Seeking.  Learn more about HSPs here.

If you are a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP), you probably pick up on more sensory information than others. You might feel a little extra anxious in crowds or chaotic places.  You notice the subtleties in people’s speech, the details of a room, and the indescribable nuances of language, music, or complex ideas. Continue reading “HSP Questions: Am I Ruminating or Processing?” →

Top 10 New Year’s Resolutions for Highly Sensitive People

Arianna Smith4 Comments
If you aren’t familiar with the term “Highly Sensitive Person” or “HSP” it refers to about 15-20% of the population which possess a unique sensory processing trait which allows them to pick up more on subtleties in the environment, resulting in deeper processing and often being easily overwhelmed with stimuli. Most people exist on a spectrum of sensitivity, with about 1 in 5 HSPs who are considered High Sensation Seeking.  Learn more about HSPs here. 

Most New Year’s Eves, you won’t find me at a bar, a party, or in a crowded plaza watching fireworks.  As midnight approaches, you will find me in a quiet space reflecting on the past year and setting my vision, goals, and intention for the New Year.   Continue reading “Top 10 New Year’s Resolutions for Highly Sensitive People” →

Part 2: How To Handle 5 Types of Overwhelm as a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP)

You’re overwhelmed. Now what?

Arianna Smith4 Comments
If you aren’t familiar with the term “Highly Sensitive Person” or “HSP” it refers to about 20% of the population which possess a unique sensory processing trait which allows them to pick up more on subtleties in the environment, resulting in deeper processing and often being easily overwhelmed with stimuli. Most people exist on a spectrum of sensitivity. Learn more here. 

Being a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP) has its joys and struggles.  The joys include being able to feel beauty and joy very deeply, being in tune with the world around you and your loved ones, and having a rich inner world and imagination.  However, the struggles include being easily overwhelmed due to the amount of stimuli you take in.  What’s an HSP to do so that they can capitalize on their strengths and also manage the overwhelm?   Continue reading “Part 2: How To Handle 5 Types of Overwhelm as a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP)” →

What Are Your Top 5? A Critical Question For Highly Sensitive People (HSPs)

Arianna Smith5 Comments

As a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP) or empath, your time and energy is a limited and precious resource you have to spend wisely.  This seems obvious, right? Yet, we live in a society that fosters the opposite idea.  We hear the silent chant – do more, be more, never stop – leading us to believe we can do everything if we just “try hard enough” or have “better time management.”

As a Highly Sensitive Person or empath, this message is especially troublesome.  You have to be even more mindful about where your time and energy goes due to your ability to get overwhelmed easily and absorb the sensations (i.e. emotions, energy, etc) around you.  You have much to contribute and give to this world, but if you are not clear about where your greatest gifts lie, or your point of highest contribution, you will spend your days feeling both overwhelmed and dissatisfied with life.   Continue reading “What Are Your Top 5? A Critical Question For Highly Sensitive People (HSPs)” →