My Life as a Highly Sensitive Person

I recently learned that I am a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP), a discovery that has made so many aspects of my life make sense.

What is a Highly Sensitive Person?

A Highly Sensitive Person is someone who is more sensitive, both to sensory stimuli and emotions. Researched heavily by Dr. Elaine Aron, this sensitivity affects roughly 15-20% of the population.

Ten Things I Want to Share About Life as an HSP:

 1. My central nervous system is on "higher alert" than most people's, meaning that while I'm talking to someone, I can also be listening to traffic from the street, observing the song playing on the radio, and wondering why the fluorescent lighting has to be so harsh.2. I can be easily overwhelmed in large groups. Remember the "high alert" thing? Imagine being in a large group and having a complex inner conversation about who you should talk to, what you should say, and where you should stand, all while processing the various stimuli (music, lights, other conversations). Can you say "tiring"?3. I feel stress on a deeper level. Stress often manifests itself by my "inner processing hum" running on overtime. Psychology Today explains that "even positive experiences...can create a lot of stress as well, simply because of the excitement...[the HSP] is constantly taking in sensory information and emotional energy like a football player at an all-you-can-eat buffet." Thus, even stressors seeming minor to others can overwhelm me.4. I'm very in tune with my body. The biological signals telling people when they're hungry, thirsty, tired, or developing a headache pull out the megaphone when they communicate with me. Until these needs at the bottom of Maslow's pyramid are taken care of, it's hard for me to focus on other things. (Hangriness is a real thing.)5. I'm sensitive to the needs of others. One benefit to being a Highly Sensitive Person is that I can be more sensitive towards others and their needs. I admit that I can get carried away in taking on responsibility for the way that other people feel, but for the most part, my HSP helps me understand what people need and how I can support them.  6. I pay attention to details. Being sensitive helps me pick up on subtleties in my environment and the people around me. This eye for detail can be overwhelming in new environments while I'm absorbing everything for the first time, but noticing the little things can also come in handy.7. I need time to recharge and process. With all the emotions and stimulation that my central nervous system processes on a daily basis, I need plenty of time to recharge and recuperate.8. Sleep is important. Virtually everyone knows that sleep is an important part of being a healthy individual, but sleep is especially important for HSPs. Through sleep, I can get a break from emotions and sensory stimulation, allowing my brain to prepare for a new day of sensitivity.9. I absorb the emotions of others. Not only am I sensitive to environmental stimulation, but I'm also constantly assessing the emotions of people around me so that I know how to respond to them. The emotions and moods of others have lots of power over my emotions, and constantly absorbing the emotions of others can be draining when I don't keep it in check.10. My head is a crazy place. I'm constantly thinking and processing questions, ideas, emotions, and stimulation. I often come across as quiet or reserved, not because there's nothing going on inside my head, but because there's so much that I don't know where to begin expressing it all.  

 I hope this gives insight into the world of Highly Sensitive People. We operate differently (and sensitivity can manifest differently in different people), but even though we need more time to process and sometimes take things too personally, our sensitivity can also be a gift in helping us relate better to others. Having grace for the HSPs in your life and understanding where they're coming from will go a long way—trust me. 

Helpful Links:

Highly Sensitive Person site: http://hsperson.com/Psychology Today: https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/sense-and-sensitivity/201203/sensitive-and-stressed