Are You Too Sensitive?
Are you too sensitive?
When it comes to emotions, I have always known that I am a bit different.
Whenever I see someone upset, I can almost feel their pain in my heart. When I see tears release from others’ eyes, I tend to start crying too. When I see a story with a happy ending, I can’t help but smile.
I feel emotions on such a deep level, whether joy or pain.
Can you relate to this?
I tend to think and feel more than I speak. I am constantly conscientious of people and things around me.
I have a hundred thoughts running through my head, being analyzed at any given moment. Because of this, I can get easily overwhelmed and stressed. I have struggled with social anxiety and nervousness in crowds. I often need space and solitude, especially after being with groups of people. Music plays a big part in my life and I love my pets just like they were my own children.
People open up to me about very personal things, even strangers. I love to help others and give advice, even when it has put my own health at risk. I am also extremely sensitive to sugar, caffeine, conflict and loud sounds. I get extremely annoyed by cockiness, bad manners and lying.
It took me a long time to realize what this all means. When I was studying in nutrition school, I came across the term Highly Sensitive Person. I jumped on http://hsperson.com to take a quiz to see if that was really me.
Boy, was I blown away. I felt more understood than I ever have in my entire life! It all started to make sense…
So, has anyone ever said to you, “Stop being so sensitive”? Maybe you were crying over a toy as a child, upset about what someone said about you as a teenager or devastated watching the news just yesterday.
No matter what you’ve heard before, being extra sensitive does not mean you are weak or a coward. Actually, it can mean quite the opposite. Many times it shows that you have a big-heart and truly care about others.
About 15-20% of our population is known as highly sensitive. The brain of an HSP actually works a little differently than others’. This is because an HSP’s brain processes information and reflects on it more deeply. There is more research being done around this fascinating trait.
Unfortunately our work, school and family schedules don’t allow us time to handle our sensitive feelings. Society seem to be more geared toward the outgoing, fast-paced, and insensitive person.
We tend to hold it in and not know how to deal with our powerful emotions. Until a day comes when we feel an extreme sense of emotion overcome us, which can appear as anxiety and/or depression. This is because we haven’t learned to be true to our sensitive selves and have healthy coping skills to tend to it.
I have noticed that the majority of my clients are also highly sensitive. I love working with them because I can relate to their deep emotions.
I have done so much work around my own sensitivity since that moment of realization a few years ago. I have been trained in coaching, intuition and mindset, attended retreats and created my own personal practice of meditation, yoga, cooking, journaling, nature walks, etc. that allows me to quiet my mind and embrace my feelings.
Being a sensitive person allows me to be vulnerable and have some amazing deep conversations with others. I focus daily on how to help others embrace their sensitivity and move forward in a positive way. I have learned that being sensitive is actually my strength and part of my unique purpose.
I try to teach my clients that being sensitive means we are more intuitive so we can connect more fully to ourself and others. It helps us to make decisions from within rather than looking externally.
It can be our inner compass.
So if you can relate to this at all, you are not alone, even though it may appear so at times.
There are a few ways to embrace your sensitivity so it doesn’t cost you the life you are meant to lead:
I love Mayim and her honesty (and quirkiness) for what it’s like to be a sensitive and emotional person. In just a few minutes, she helps sensitive people relate and feel understood.
“For a long time I thought it was bad to be so sensitive because it made other people uncomfortable and if I’m being honest it sometimes makes me feel uncomfortable to feel so many big emotions all the time...I’ve come to realize that being sensitive and sentimental is not something to be ashamed of...It’s kind of like my superpower.”
2. Morning Routine
Have a slow and gentle morning routine whenever possible. You can include meditation, yoga, walking, sipping tea, journaling and/or cooking. Try to give yourself enough time in the morning so you are not rushing around and feeling stressed looking at the clock. It does not help your sensitivity when you are feeling overwhelmed and releasing stress hormones because it creates conflict within the body. On your commute you can listen to calming music or a grounding meditation. It’s important to breathe deeply and nourish yourself as much as possible before you go places with other people and stimulation.
3. Avoid Sugar and Caffeine
Sugary snacks, coffee, and energy drinks are all stimulants that we are very sensitive to. We tend to get more anxious and hyperactive when we consume them. Instead, try to focus on grounding and calming food and drinks such as root vegetables, leafy greens, chamomile tea and nuts. This will also support your energy, helping you to feel less exhausted by the afternoon.
4. Smudge
Native Americans practiced smudging, which is lighting sage and letting the smoke purify negative energy from your body and home. When burned, sage releases negative ions, which research has linked to positive moods. You can incorporate this into your morning and night time routine by lighting the sage and surrounding yourself in the smoke. It’s helpful to do after conversations and meetings with other people so you don’t hold onto their energies. You can also use sage spray if you can’t light anything in your office.
5. Talk It Out
Having someone to talk about your strong feelings is essential. It can be easy to isolate ourselves and be stuck in our own heads but we need to release our feelings, just like anyone else. Find a person who doesn’t judge you, appreciates your sensitivity and loves you for you. Journaling is another way to let out your emotions in a safe place. It allows you to let go of feelings so you can feel lighter and more energized.
6. Get Rest
As sensitive people, we tend to feel more drained after a lengthy conversation or busy day. Try to take time to lie down for a few minutes or even take a nap in the afternoon. Take a bath or shower at night to release any negative energies from the day. Get into bed early enough to give you a substantial amount of deep sleep to rejuvenate for the next full day.
I have been focusing on creating events and programs specifically designed for young and sensitive women. I know how hard it can be to feel alone and annoyed by our deep emotions and I feel I am here to give guidance.
If you are looking for hope in your life, please schedule your complimentary Heartache to Hope phone session. This will give you a chance to find a sense of peace and see which HOPE Journey™ program may be best for you and your lifestyle.
Lots of love,
Shayna
