Anxiety and Environmental Sensitivities

Guest Article by Andrea Weber

Due to the day-to-day challenges involved in managing environmental sensitivity, it’s easy to see why anxiety can develop as a result. The physical symptoms experienced by exposures in our environments such as eme (electromagnetic energy) and chemicals along with the emotional responses that tend to follow can really deplete our health and wellbeing. Anxiety can often be present when we have to be in environments that are less than ideal from a sensitivity perspective or when we find ourselves in heightened response and are unequipped to manage this.

It’s important to acknowledge that environmental sensitivities do not develop through fear and anxiety. Although possible, as it is with anything, it is unlikely. Fear and anxiety may develop as a result of environmental sensitivity as a person becomes more familiar with what is experienced and the sources that trigger symptoms. This is often accompanied by feelings of helplessness and lack of control.

Self-empowered management tools are essential to minimize what is experienced in terms of environmental sensitivity. Without these tools, anxiety can intensify sensitivity symptoms (both physically and emotionally) and also lead to longer recovery times. If you are experiencing anxiety, please reach out for one-on-one support if this is needed. There are also a number of things you can do to empower yourself and reduce the anxiety you may be experiencing.

There are a number of things to keep in mind for starters: 

• Environmental sensitivities are experienced by thousands of people all over the world and you are certainly not alone in your struggles. 

• Environmental sensitivity is no different from any other condition that requires consideration. 

• We do not need to apologize when we have to make requests. We are not a burden or an inconvenience because we are sensitive and need to ask for things that are slightly different. 

• We do not need validation from others to know what we experience or what our triggers are.  Even if others don’t understand, they can still offer support and respect.

When we are able to make the necessary observations and connections about things that may be contributing to an already highly sensitized nervous system, we are better equipped to manage the sensitivity in an empowered way that minimizes what is experienced.

I’ll give an example where I had to take my daughter into the city for an appointment. I do not fare well in these built-up environments being an HSP with a number of environmental sensitivities (eme, chemicals, mold, light, and noise). I wanted to be there for my daughter but this also meant driving for over two hours, through peak hour traffic, and then being in the city for most of the day. I knew the sensitivity would be triggered.

During the days leading up to the trip, I worked on extra self-care and ensured adequate time for rest and nurturing. I had my own Reset Routine which included havening techniques and tapping with positive affirmation and visualization. I had tools from the Relief Toolkit including calming natural essential oils and pain medication that was agreeable if this was needed. To minimize overwhelm in the car, I distracted myself with reading truck signs and observing different things along the highway so I wasn’t focused on symptoms. We took time out in the city to eat well and rest to increase reserves for the trip home. I then took extra good care of myself in the days following with plenty of downtime and self-care. I also focused on self-compassion and because I’d come through the day better than expected, I celebrated this as a success. All of these strategies helped reduce anxiety, emotional response, and burden on the body.

When we have constructive management tools available, there is a significant difference in how environmental sensitivity is managed. This is why I created the Self-Empowered Sensitivity Management Program which includes the Reset Routine and Relief Toolkit mentioned above.  This is an in-depth and comprehensive learning program based on making connections and creating opportunities for additional learning. It is designed to manage ‘what is there’ in terms of sensitivity and to minimize the impact of what is experienced through renewed perspective and understanding.

Managing emotional health and wellbeing plays an important role in environmental sensitivity management. With a prominent focus on what is physically experienced, emotional wellbeing is often a secondary concern for environmentally sensitive people. However, proactively taking care of emotional health decreases the opportunity for further overwhelm and depletion and I highly recommend Julie’s Brain Training for the Highly Sensitive and Free Masterclasses for these important tools and techniques. I have also found great benefit in being a part of the Sensitive Empowerment Community, a place to truly uplift, inspire and empower sensitive people.

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Andrea Weber is founder of expansivehappiness.com, a site specifically designed to encourage, inspire and support those managing environmental sensitivities, while creating much needed public awareness around these conditions. Andrea has created an Environmental Sensitivity Quiz and a range of practical and inspirational resources for environmental sensitivity management including the Self-empowered Sensitivity Management Program.

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