Understanding the trait of high sensitivity is life-changing and the first step in moving out of survival mode and into thriving to your fullest potential. In this video and in the text below, I explain more about the trait of high sensitivity. You may like to share this with others to help them understand you better.
As highly sensitive people (HSPs), we fundamentally differ from most of the population, taking in more environmental, sensory, and cognitive data, giving us an advantage in many areas. Scientifically the trait of high sensitivity has been well-researched and is known as Sensory Processing Sensitivity (SPS).
We have found the trait of sensitivity in over 100 species and counting! Research has found it in humans, fish, birds, monkeys, rodents, fruit flies, and more.
Here are some of the many gifts of sensitivity
advanced ability to read microexpressions, body language, the language of energy
taking in more information, more details
a heightened awareness
elevated sensory pleasures
increased empathy and conscientiousness
enhanced creativity and intuition
a deep connection to nature, and more!
Here’s more of what we know about sensitivity
It exists on a spectrum
HSPs at the highest level of sensitivity have a different experience than those at the low end. The higher-end tends to have more gifts AND challenges. But important to note is that our challenges come from society not being set up for sensitivity and NOT that something is wrong with sensitivity.
It’s found equally across genders
There isn’t one gender that is more sensitive innately than another.
Sensitivity is different than shyness or introversion
About 70% of HSPs are introverted (30% extroverted). Sensitive people take in more information, so it can be common to observe before jumping in, especially in new situations. However, shyness is a learned fear of social judgment.
HSPs process data more thoroughly, especially in new situations
There’s a benefit in having a group of people who pause and pick up on extra data and can analyze and process that data more thoroughly.
Our childhood environment impacts us more
Sensitive children are more affected by their environment and parental upbringing. For example, we know that sensitive children raised in supportive environments excel even more than those with low sensitivity. Conversely, sensitive children not given the support they need tend to be more likely to experience anxiety, depression, and chronic health issues.
HSPs with the right type of support and who practice the correct kind of self-care for the sensitive nervous system:
● Often excel in an area of passion
● They are incredibly innovative and creative
● They tend to make great team leaders, often knowing the talents of others and knowing what type of support is needed to harness the gifts in others to make the best team
● They lead through respect and hard work, often creating environments that foster respect, diversity, and inclusivity
● Having the ability to take in multiple perspectives, they tend to be more open to listening to the ideas of others and using supportive, collaborative approaches
● As friends, they are the ones you can count on, are good listeners, and tend to be generous and giving
● They like to know you on a deep level and prefer in-depth connections and conversations
● As parents and teachers, they are creative and often know the child's needs
● They’re creative and express that in many different ways. So many of our most gifted artists, creators, and musicians are HSPs
● Put them next to a tree or a body of water and watch them radiate happiness because their connection to nature is more intense than most
● They feel what you feel and are incredibly empathetic and compassionate
HSPs NOT raised with the proper types of support or live in busy urban environments without tools...
● Are more likely to suffer from anxiety and or depression. In my free webinar, High Sensitivity and Anxiety, I share tools and resources that will help you reduce anxiety naturally
● Might experience many challenges regulating a sensitive nervous system. Common challenges include anxiety, sensory overload, depression, headaches/migraines, digestive issues, and chronic health conditions, just to name a few. Brain training provides tools that help reduce anxiety within the first week or two
● Often feel that the very essence of who they are is wrong, fueling low self-esteem if they get the message that something is wrong with their sensitivity or feeling deeply, making it important to spend time with other HSPs to normalize and validate your experience
● May try to numb the challenges through alcohol, drugs, food, or may even ruminate about suicide. It can be important to seek support, and working with another HSP practitioner can be healing. Explore our HSP Practitioners Directory if you want to work with an HSP therapist, coach, or healer
● Absorb the pain of the world and feel exhausted and depleted. We share a lot of tools on The HSP Podcast
It’s hard if you experience the world differently than most people around you, and no one tells you why or what to do to support yourself in a world not set up for sensitivity. But, with tools, you will likely transform your life as you understand yourself in ways you never have before.
Neurodiversity has its advantages
Human brains are all wired differently. Highly sensitive people (HSPs) process the world differently and have different needs. Neurodiversity is an umbrella term that describes the naturally occurring variations of the human mind. We need each other and want to recognize, value, and embrace these differences, not see them as deficits. These differences are a part of the expected variation of the human population.
No one type of brain function is “right” or “best.” We need different people with differing skill sets. For example, you need a group of people who pick up on subtleties. Think about how you want a lab test to be sensitive to pick up on data or the sensitive animal in the herd that can alert others of danger. Sensitivity protects the population.
There isn’t something wrong with being sensitive, it’s that the world isn’t set up for these levels of sensitivity. We want to focus on providing support, tools, and accommodations rather than “cures” since it isn’t a deficit. This is an important mindset shift and allows us to lower the challenges so that we may access the naturally occurring gifts that come with sensitivity. It’s important to understand that each person’s brain is different, and those differences manifest both strengths and challenges.
Sensitive people benefit the most from psychotherapy, self-help, and positive communities
HSPs benefit the most from interventions like psychotherapy, high-quality self-help materials, and being around positive and supportive people, environments, and communities. For example, it is incredible how quickly HSPs can experience growth in psychotherapy. As a psychotherapist, I noticed that HSPs could grasp something more quickly. Their greater sense of knowing and the ability to go deep within and process everything more meant they could reach goals more quickly.
Identifying sensitivity in babies and children
I’ve found that the following manifestations may indicate sensitivity in infants and children:
● Advanced in speech and development
● Seem wise for their age
● Pick things up fast
● Highly observant
● Frequent overstimulation (fussy/meltdowns/crying) around lots of people
● Sensitive skin (prone to rashes)
● Might be more sensitive to chemicals in skin wipes, cleaners, laundry detergents, etc
● More prone to Allergies
● More food sensitivities (increased gas/spitting up) and even textures of food
● Can be more sensitive to things mother eats if breastfeeding
● Sensitivity to certain textures in the environment, even seams in socks, tags, etc
● Strong reactions to being wet, dirty, or sticky
● Preferences for adults with softer energy levels or voices
● Sleep sensitivities, need more time to fall asleep or stay asleep
● Greater noise sensitivity
● More temperature sensitive
● Separation anxiety (especially if parents have anxiety or high stress)
● Need to be held a lot
● Harder to self-soothe
Sensory overload
If you think about tubes of information coming into the brain, an HSP might have a hundred tubes of data, whereas someone without this trait (a Non-HSP) might just have a few. This data gives us unique information about the world that the majority doesn’t receive and can also create an overload.
Sensory Overload tends to be one of our biggest challenges as HSPs. It is when our senses take in more information than our brain can keep up with processing. You might be surprised that it is often the culprit of symptoms of emotional reactivity, anxiety, irritability, sleep issues, exhaustion, and even loss of productivity, creativity, and focus. What makes it extra hard is that the world isn’t set up for those of us with high sensitivity.
Have you been challenged by your sensitivity and labeled as “too sensitive” or “overly emotional”? Do you know how sensory overload impacts you?
Join me to learn more and uncover solutions that will help you thrive to your fullest level of wellness.
We have brain differences that evolved for the survival of the population. We don’t need to change ourselves; we need to learn about our needs, normalize our experience, and use tools that support a sensitive nervous system. I’ve created many free resources to help educate you and others about high sensitivity. For those struggling with the challenges, I’ve developed easy tools to help you feel more balanced, energetic, productive, creative, and able to access this trait's many gifts!