What is a Highly Sensitive Person?

Have you ever been told that you’re “too sensitive”? You may be a highly sensitive person. HSP’s are thought to make up 20% of the population. That’s 1 out of 5 people!

A highly sensitive person is someone who has an increased central nervous system sensitivity to physical, emotional, or social stimuli. So beyond being “too sensitive” like it’s something people have control over- it’s actually wired in their nervous systems.

“The term highly sensitive person was first coined by psychologists Elaine Aron and Arthur Aron in the mid-1990s. Elaine Aron published her book, "The Highly Sensitive Person," in 1996, and interest in the concept has continued to grow since then.”

Signs you’re a HSP:

• Introversion: HSP & introverts are often overwhelmed when faced with too many stimuli. You enjoy your peace and quiet.

• Constant Overwhelm: Because the nervous system is hyper-sensitive to stimuli- it becomes overwhelmed by too much input. Think big crowds, loud music, bright lights.

• BIG Emotions: Whether you’re connected to your emotions or not- you feel very deeply. (I.e.: When you’re in love, you love BIG, when you’re sad, it’s like your world is falling apart.)

• Empathy: You feel other’s emotions as your own.

• Deeper Connection: To life, to other’s, to yourself and your body.

• You Enjoy Being Alone: You thrive in solitude as it calms your senses.

• Exclusion: You often feel like others don’t understand you and may feel like you don’t belong in society.

• Intuitive: You have an enhanced gut feeling and feel like there’s something beyond your mind that’s guiding you.

Being highly sensitive can be seen as a gift- a gift this world needs more of, people who are in tune with themselves and their surroundings. Unfortunately, we live in a society that doesn’t value sensitivity, and is more catered towards fast-paced living and disconnection. This can cause a high amount of distress for us highly sensitive types, as we can often feel misunderstood and like the world just feels like too much sometimes.

The bright side of being an HSP is you get to experience a kind of magic in life as a result of the deeper connection you feel to yourself, others and the world around you.

Though, if you are not in that state of connection, and are more in a state of disconnection from the overwhelm of the outside world… This can result in internal turmoil and a constant state of anxiety.

Luckily, there are tools you can learn that make the outside world more bearable and enjoyable. In other terms- there are things you can do to capitalize on your gifts of sensitivity.

Teaching my clients these tools and helping them learn to navigate the world as a highly sensitive person is what I do. If you’re interested in working together, click the button below and book your free 15 minute phone consultation or book your first session. Please visit my contact page if you have any questions or curiosities.

- If you still aren’t sure if you’re an HSP and/or what that means, there are lots of resources and articles online. -