René Allen ~ Author

Let's talk about Highly Sensitive People

Hi everyone ~ We're back to talk more about Empaths and Highly Sensitive People (HSPs). I hope you have your Journals ready to take notes, because I'm about to share a lot of information that you will find very enlightening.

Right now is the time to Bookmark this Blog so that you may get back here easily, also "Follow by Email" by adding your email address over in the right-hand column, then click "Submit" -- that way you won't miss a thing, and if you are a Google+ User, feel free to add me to your Circles.

First, I'd like to share a little about the Header on this Blog page which is about the "Sensitive" Film. The objective of the Film is to raise awareness about the nature of Highly Sensitive People (HSPs), forge a better understanding between HSPs and non-HSPs -- whether they be children, parents, spouses, or co-workers. The goal is to inspire dialogue among professionals and further research on the innate trait of high sensitivity.

In order to help you better understand the nature of Highly Sensitive People (HSPs), following are 15 things that most HSPs do . . .

1) They take things personally.

Highly sensitive people tend to understand others better and they are also very helpful. According to research, sensitivity can be perceived as an asset or a negative trait, depending on the culture. For example, in Thailand and India, highly sensitive people are almost never teased. In North America things are completely different.

2) They tend to avoid team sports.

Highly sensitive people prefer exercising on their own, because they don't want to feel like everyone is watching their every move. Most highly sensitive people tend to occupy with individual sports, like bicycling, running and hiking. Nevertheless, we need to understand that this is not what always happens. There are many highly sensitive people who like to participate in team sports. That may be related to how their family supported them when they were kids. So if you happen to have a highly sensitive person on your team, just continue reading on to find out more about them.

3) Their emotions are really deep

In fact, highly sensitive people can feel in a deeper way than the ones who are less sensitive. They tend to process things really deeply. They’re very intuitive, and go very deep inside to try to figure things out. [Reference: Ted Zeff, Ph.D., is the author of The Highly Sensitive Person’s Survival Guide and other books on highly sensitive people].

4) They tend to react more in tough situations.

Highly sensitive people are also more reactive. They act with empathy when they listen to a friend’s problem, for example. In addition, they seem to care more about others’ reactions in the cases where something bad happens.

5) They are not too spontaneous.

On the contrary, highly sensitive people have a hard time making decisions, since they want to check every singly detail. This may sound a little anxious, but in fact careful decisions can save them from a lot of trouble. As Aron writes in a recent issue of her Comfort Zone newsletter, highly sensitive people can find it easier to make a decision by following some steps: “Take as long to decide as the situation permits, and ask for more time if you need it and can take it. During this time, try pretending for a minute, hour, day, or even week that you have made up your mind a certain way. How does that feel? Often, on the other side of a decision things look different, and this gives you a chance to imagine more vividly that you are already there.”

6) HSPs hate it when they make a bad decision.

Highly sensitive people get really annoyed with themselves when they realize that their decision was “wrong” or “bad”, according to their criteria. As Aron explains, the reason why highly sensitive ones can’t stand making a mistake is because “the emotional reactivity is higher”.

7) They are very observant.

In fact, highly sensitive people tend to notice every single detail in a room by the moment they walk into it!

8) People think they are introverted… But not all of them are!

As Aron states, only 30 percent of highly sensitive people are extroverts. What is essential about them is that most of the times these sensitive but extrovert people have grown up in a close-knit community and had the chance to interact with many people.

9) They can cooperate really well.

As we previously said, highly sensitive people are really careful and watch every detail. That’s why they are also perfect workers. They make good decisions, can take great responsibilities and they are really thoughtful. For example, if a highly sensitive person worked in a medical team, they would be great in counting the positive and negative reasons why a patient should or shouldn’t have a surgery.

10) Unfortunately, many of HSPs suffer from anxiety or even depression.

But that’s true only for those who’ve experienced something bad. According to Aron, “If you’ve had a fair number of bad experiences, especially early in life, so you don’t feel safe in the world or you don’t feel secure at home or … at school. Your nervous system is set to ‘anxious”. Being surrounded by supportive family members and friends, can really help a highly sensitive person face his or her anxieties and fears. “You can’t over-protect them, but you can’t under-protect them, either. You have to titrate that just right when they’re young so they can feel confident and they can do fine”, Aron explains.

11) They get annoyed more easily.

… especially if it is an annoying sound. Well, everyone hates annoying noises more or less, but highly sensitive people are even more “fragile”, when it comes to this. As Aron explains, that happens because they tend to be more easily overwhelmed and overstimulated by too much activity.

12) They hate violent or horror movies.

We all remember that friend who's always whining: "Please, let's watch another movie! I won't be able to sleep at night!" Empathy and overstimulation can explain this situation too. You may call them fearful but they've got stronger emotions than you have.

13) They cry more often.

Highly sensitive people rarely put themselves in situations where they will be made to feel embarrassed for crying easily. What their friends and family need to understand is that crying easily is not a sign of weakness but a form of expression. In order words, highly sensitive people let it all out. Crying can really make you stronger, because you get rid of all that made you feel bad.

14) They are very kind.

Highly sensitive people are also highly conscientious people, Aron states. That’s why they will probably be considerate and exhibit good manners. They also tend to notice when someone else isn’t being conscientious – and they disapprove it.

15) Criticism can affect them a lot.

Highly sensitive people have reactions to criticism that are more intense than less sensitive people. That is why they may employ certain tactics to avoid said criticism, including people-pleasing, criticizing themselves first, and avoiding the source of the criticism altogether, according to Aron.

Get ready to Journal . . .

Are you a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP)?

Answer the following questions...

Is this you?

Are you easily overwhelmed by such things as bright lights, strong smells, coarse fabrics, or sirens nearby?
Do you get rattled when you have a lot to do in a short amount of time?
Do you make a point of avoiding violent movies and TV shows?
Do you need to withdraw during busy days, into bed or a darkened room or some other place where you can have privacy and relief from the situation?
Do you make it a high priority to arrange your life to avoid upsetting or overwhelming situations?
Do you notice or enjoy delicate or fine scents, tastes, sounds, or works of art?
Do you have a rich and complex inner life?
When you were a child, did your parents or teachers see you as sensitive or shy?
Go here to take the Self Test

REFERENCE: Elaine N. Aron, Ph.D. ~ The Highly Sensitive Person BLOG

Relax yourself, put some soft music on, take a little time to write in your Journal, take the HSP self test, and buzz back here for more on HSPs, Intuitive Empaths, and Healers...

... see you back here for MORE INFO! ...

Peace, Love & Light,

René