A highly sensitive person (HSP) is an individual who has a heightened sensitivity to various stimuli, including sensory (such as noise, light, and texture), emotional (feelings and emotions), and social (interactions with others). Being highly sensitive has its advantages but also requires a lot of self-care. In this article, you will learn the traits of a highly sensitive person and a list of 20 self-care ideas for highly sensitive people.
You notice absolutely everything. The odd smell, the way the sunlight hits the water, the
emotions of the person you’re with, and a million other thoughts vie for your attention. You’re a highly sensitive person (HSP), and you are amazing.
You might not feel that way. If you’re one of the 15 – 20% of the population to experience this
kind of awareness, you’ve probably been called a few names. The world can be harsh with people who seem ‘oversensitive’ and react accordingly.
You might have been told to ‘toughen up’ or ‘not let things get to you.’ Chances are, your intuition has even been called into question, with no one understanding how you see all the connections so quickly.
What the world doesn’t realize is that the highly sensitive person is the one with the edge. Noticing the details, being in tune with what’s going on, and even having a deeper understanding of emotions and how things fit together, all make for the perfect person to succeed where others fail.
Read on to find out the traits of a highly sensitive person and their advantages. Some might even call these traits your superpowers.
Traits of a Highly Sensitive Person
You understand the emotions of others
Someone who can seemingly sense how others are feeling is seen to have the edge in every walk of life. These are the people who make excellent counselors or social workers because they have so much compassion. Coupled with action, someone with this kind of empathy makes for a social justice warrior or even the best kind of politician.
Empathy means you’re that awesome friend who knows just how to comfort someone when they’re feeling down or cheer them on when they’re flagging. This also makes you more considerate of others, a trait that makes people want to work with you or spend time in your company.
You’re a Great Listener
Empathy is what helps you open up to others, and, more importantly, to be open to them. Highly sensitive people understand what’s it like to feel like no one is listening to them because they listen to the pain of others and feel it deeply when it’s expressed to them.
That’s why you listen and listen so well. People love this about you and know just who to go to when they need a sympathetic ear.
You take time to think
Highly Sensitive People have a lot of information to process all the time. This gives them a lot to consider when they’re making decisions. This can lead to some frustration on the part of those who work with the HSP, as they generally aren’t quite as fast as others might be when it comes to deciding a new direction or strategy.
On the other hand, your HSP will have considered all the angles, so you know when they do give their opinion, it’s well worth the wait.
You know who to trust, and who NOT to
All that information collected by a highly sensitive person is always put to good use. It’s the HSP who notices when something is ‘off’ about someone, far quicker than anyone else would figure out the same thing (if ever). This is because the HSP is tuned into the fine details of the world around them. All those ‘tells’ that give away a liar, for example, might as well be advertised on a billboard when an HSP is around.
More often than not, though, the HSP doesn’t always consciously know why they do or don’t trust someone. They process so much information! This usually comes out more like intuition.
If this sounds familiar, you might want to spend more time listening to your gut. If you don’t feel good about a person or situation, pay attention. More often than not, you’re going to be right.
You get things done
When you’re a highly sensitive person, you’re more likely to have figured out one of the secrets of the universe: multi-tasking doesn’t work. The HSP knows just how much they can get done when they concentrate, and so they tend to do it well. Single-tasking is their strength.
If this is you, you already know just how amazing you are when it comes to getting things done and are frequently surprised at how everyone else seems to struggle with this so much.
You know what’s going on
Do you need someone to explain what someone said just now? Probably not. The highly sensitive person uses their eye for detail, and their listening skills to put together the finer nuances of conversation better than anyone else.
You probably understand the subtext better than anyone else and are frequently the one called upon to explain to your friends what that guy meant when he said your friend was ‘interesting.’
You’re more open-minded
The highly sensitive person is so good at seeing where others are coming from, and they tend to refrain from making judgments until they’ve had a chance to hear things from the other person’s point of view.
This means you’re willing to give another viewpoint a shot and even willing to have your mind changed if the other person has the facts to support what they’re saying. This makes you more open-minded. It is a superpower in this day and age.
You’re creative
Being able to think outside the box is one of the true benefits of being a highly sensitive person. The HSP is used to noticing details and facts and has a great facility for putting things together, usually in ways the rest of the world wouldn’t think to.
Also, the connection to emotions and the desire to express them tends to draw the HSP into highly creative career choices.
As an HSP, your creativity is probably constantly being put to the test. You can’t help but think about things in new ways. When encouraged, you’ll come up with all kinds of ideas, and have the ability to be a great problem-solver.
You bounce back quickly
There’s a lot to be said about being resilient. A highly sensitive person is used to overcoming stuff. With so many stimuli, they’re frequently overwhelmed. At the same time, just to live halfway normally, they have to learn how to cope when overwhelmed and get past the discomfort.
This means if you’re an HSP you face new challenges better than those around you and are back on your feet again quicker when knocked down by a challenge.
You hang in there
Once you’ve bounced back, the Highly Sensitive You are more likely to try again. What makes the HSP so stubborn about continuing where others would quit? Simply put, they know how to keep their eyes on the prize.
All that thinking means they’ve already considered why the end goal is beneficial and what it’s going to take to get there. With this kind of clarity, it’s no wonder you’re so great at keeping going, even when the going gets tough.
You’re good at being alone
While this doesn’t seem like a superpower at first glance, it is. Alone time is when the highly sensitive person recharges, so they’re going to seek it out naturally. But this is also great for you when you’re an HSP because it means you also don’t need to be entertained.
You know the value of quiet, meaning you’re not cluttering up your life with people who are only so much noise or distractions that only cost you time and money you can’t afford to spend.
You are the calm
Where do people go when they need refuge from the chaos of the world? They seek out the highly sensitive person, who is the expert at creating a peaceful oasis. Why? If you’re an HSP, you already know – it’s because you hate the wild emotions of conflict and, with your empathetic nature, will work hard to soothe the drama and restore peace.
You’re good at taking care of yourself
All that listening to what goes on around them makes highly sensitive people very good at knowing how to best take care of themselves. They’re more likely to notice when they need a break or even just how good it feels to work out. If you’re HSP, then you’re in a position to be the master of your health, making you a hero to yourself.
You Notice EVERYTHING
Perception becomes a superpower when all those details you’ve constantly noticed can be put together into solutions.
This makes the HSP incredibly valuable in the workplace or even socially. More than that, you are more likely to gain true enjoyment from things like art and music, as you’re going to discover the nuanced detail everyone else missed. All this combines to make your life incredibly rich and fulfilling.
You know how to live well
A highly sensitive person experiences everything so completely. You experience every range of emotion so deeply that it becomes part of every experience. So while a regular person might have a good time hiking in nature, your experience is going to be richer, with vivid memories of every detail, from sights and sounds to the way the pine trees smelled, and how the water in the stream felt when you stopped to go wading.
What’s more, you share these experiences just as fully, meaning that when you hit on something particularly strong like love, you reflect that love so fully and completely, that the relationships of others seem paltry by comparison.
Because highly sensitive people experience everything so deeply. Self-care is essential to maintain emotional balance, prevent overwhelm, and cultivate resilience in the face of life’s challenges.
Related: How To Set Goals For Mental Health Wellness
What is self-care?
Self-care is any intentional action you take to promote your physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being. It involves recognizing your needs and taking steps to fulfill them to maintain overall health and happiness.
Why is self-care important?
Highly sensitive people (HSPs) need self-care for several reasons:
Overstimulation
Highly sensitive people tend to be more sensitive to external stimuli such as noise, light, and crowds. This heightened sensitivity can make them feel overwhelmed and exhausted. Making time for self-care is essential to prevent burnout.
Emotional Intensity
Highly sensitive people are more sensitive to external stimuli such as noise, light, and crowds. This heightened sensitivity can make them feel overwhelmed and exhausted. Making time for self-care is essential to prevent burnout.
Empathy and Compassion
Highly sensitive people tend to be highly empathetic and compassionate and they may absorb the emotions of others around them. This can be draining and emotionally exhausting for them. Self-care is crucial for HSPs to help them recover and maintain boundaries.
Self Reflection
Highly sensitive people spend a lot of time processing their thoughts and feelings. HSPs can practice self-care activities that give them the time and space to engage in self-reflection and introspection, like journaling. This also promotes personal growth and self-awareness.
Increased Stress Response
HSPs may be more susceptible to stress and anxiety. Self-care practices such as relaxation techniques, mindfulness, and stress management strategies can help HSPs reduce stress levels and improve resilience.
Relationships
Highly sensitive people may encounter some challenges in relationships due to their sensitivity to subtle cues and their deep emotional responsiveness. Engaging in self-care helps HSPs nurture healthy relationships by ensuring they communicate effectively and set boundaries.
Related: 50 Self-Care Ideas For A Bad Day
20 self-care activities tailored for highly sensitive people
Journaling
Spend some time writing about your thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Journaling can help you process emotions and gain clarity.
Warm Baths
Take a warm bath with soothing essential oils or bath salts to relax your body and mind.
Gentle Exercise
Engage in gentle forms of exercise, such as walking, to release tension and boost your mood.
Reading
Escape into a good book, read your Bible, or do something inspirational to unwind and recharge.
Listen to Music
Listen to calming music, your favorite audiobook, or nature sounds to promote relaxation.
Mindful Breathing
Practice deep breathing exercises to calm your nerves and reduce stress.
Art Therapy
Engage in art activities like drawing, collage, or painting to express yourself creatively and relieve stress.
Aromatherapy
Use calming essential oils such as lavender or chamomile in a diffuser or as a massage oil to create a tranquil atmosphere.
Nature Walks
Spend time in nature by taking leisurely walks in parks or natural surroundings to reconnect with the earth and rejuvenate.
Mindfulness
Practicing mindfulness helps you stay aware of the present moment.
Digital Detox
Take a break from screens and technology to give your eyes and mind some rest.
Tea Time
Enjoy a cup of herbal tea like chamomile, peppermint, or ginger to relax and unwind.
Cuddle with Pets
Spend quality time with pets, if you have them, as their presence can be comforting and calming.
Creative Writing
Explore your creativity through writing poetry, stories, or personal reflections as a form of self-expression.
Warm Compresses
Place warm compresses on areas of tension, such as your neck or shoulders, to ease muscle stiffness and promote relaxation.
Gardening
Engage in gardening activities like planting flowers or tending to indoor plants to connect with nature.
Self-Compassion
Practice self-compassion by treating yourself with kindness, understanding, and acceptance in moments of difficulty and stress.
Engage in a hobby
Dedicate time to hobbies or activities you enjoy, whether it’s crafting, cooking, or playing a musical instrument, to recharge your batteries.
Guided Imagery
Use visualization techniques to create mental images of peaceful and serene places,promoting relaxation and stress relief.
Practice Gratitude
Take a moment each day to reflect on the things you are grateful for.
Conclusion
The Highly Sensitive Person experiences so much more than everyone else in life, and while this can sometimes can become overwhelming, more often than not, it leads to a fuller, more
exciting life.
This ability to experience things so deeply is, in fact, your greatest superpower. So, if you have the traits of a Highly Sensitive Person, rejoice! Sure, things are more challenging sometimes, but the benefits are so worth it!
Self-care for a highly sensitive person (HSP) is crucial for maintaining emotional balance and overall well-being. By prioritizing self-care, HSPs can honor their unique traits and nurture their well-being.
Leave a Reply