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Sense and Sensitivity

The ups and downs of daily life as a Highly Sensitive Person

Highly Sensitive Person
Are HSPs Aliens or Superheroes?

Deborah Ward on June 30, 2019

Highly sensitive people have many qualities that can make them feel like they have special powers. But these unique traits can also make them feel isolated and unappreciated.

Highly sensitive people have many qualities that can make them feel like they have special powers. But these unique traits can also make them feel isolated and unappreciated.

Relationships
The HSP Relationship Dilemma

Deborah Ward on February 2, 2018

Relationships can be challenging for highly sensitive people, but a few simple self-care steps can ease the way.

Relationships can be challenging for highly sensitive people, but a few simple self-care steps can ease the way.

Relationships
Looking for Love as an HSP

Deborah Ward on September 7, 2015

Our natural empathy, warmth and compassion draws others to us. At the same time, we are drawn to them because we cannot ignore their feelings or their cries for help. But that’s where things can become challenging for HSPs. Find out how you can find love as an HSP.

Our natural empathy, warmth and compassion draws others to us. At the same time, we are drawn to them because we cannot ignore their feelings or their cries for help. But that’s where things can become challenging for HSPs. Find out how you can find love as an HSP.

Extroversion
Introvert? Extrovert? Or a Bit of Both?

Deborah Ward on July 30, 2015

. Like walking a tightrope without slipping, the extrovert HSP has to maintain a constant balance between their needs for social stimulation and sensory stillness. It can be a confusing, and exhausting ride, but there are ways that you can cope.

. Like walking a tightrope without slipping, the extrovert HSP has to maintain a constant balance between their needs for social stimulation and sensory stillness. It can be a confusing, and exhausting ride, but there are ways that you can cope.

Highly Sensitive Person
When Did Sensitive Become a Dirty Word?

Deborah Ward on July 22, 2015

One of my struggles with being a highly sensitive person is saying to people, ‘I’m highly sensitive,’ knowing that the response will be laughter, ridicule, scowls, fear or expression of disapproval. Have you ever tried to explain your trait to someone?

One of my struggles with being a highly sensitive person is saying to people, ‘I’m highly sensitive,’ knowing that the response will be laughter, ridicule, scowls, fear or expression of disapproval. Have you ever tried to explain your trait to someone?

Stress
With Care, You and Your Sensitivity Will Flourish

Deborah Ward on April 23, 2015

While we can’t avoid the stresses of modern life completely, we can take steps to try to prevent the saturation of our systems and soothe our stressed out senses when we do become overwhelmed. When we see our sensitivity as a child and ourselves as the parent, we can help ourselves live a life that meets all of our needs.

While we can’t avoid the stresses of modern life completely, we can take steps to try to prevent the saturation of our systems and soothe our stressed out senses when we do become overwhelmed. When we see our sensitivity as a child and ourselves as the parent, we can help ourselves live a life that meets all of our needs.

Highly Sensitive Person
When We Help Others, We Help Ourselves

Deborah Ward on January 16, 2015

Considering our tendency to become overwhelmed and upset by too much stimulation, you would think we’d hide from such experiences. So why do HSPs always feel the need to help? Perhaps it’s because we know what it’s like to need help.

Considering our tendency to become overwhelmed and upset by too much stimulation, you would think we’d hide from such experiences. So why do HSPs always feel the need to help? Perhaps it’s because we know what it’s like to need help.

Stress
Sensitive and Strong: Can We Really Be Both?

Deborah Ward on November 23, 2014

When it comes to inner strength, highly sensitive people seem to have some kind of secret ability to weather life’s storms.

When it comes to inner strength, highly sensitive people seem to have some kind of secret ability to weather life’s storms.

Relationships
One Thing You Need to Make Relationships Work

Deborah Ward on September 24, 2014

While relationships take effort and working on them can make them better, the fight for happiness is often futile. Why? It’s not because two people are not destined to be together or because real love doesn’t take any work. It’s because all too often, we’re fighting against each other instead of working together.

While relationships take effort and working on them can make them better, the fight for happiness is often futile. Why? It’s not because two people are not destined to be together or because real love doesn’t take any work. It’s because all too often, we’re fighting against each other instead of working together.

Friends
You Don't Have To Go It Alone

Deborah Ward on August 18, 2014

Highly sensitive people don’t have to go it alone, nor do we have to be social butterflies, filling our lives with Facebook friends and a bursting social calendar. We can find our need for silence and solitude, for creativity and reflection, as well as our need for human connection, in our own unique way.

Highly sensitive people don’t have to go it alone, nor do we have to be social butterflies, filling our lives with Facebook friends and a bursting social calendar. We can find our need for silence and solitude, for creativity and reflection, as well as our need for human connection, in our own unique way.

Extroversion
How to Cope as a Highly Sensitive Extrovert

Deborah Ward on August 9, 2014

Most highly sensitive people are introverts, but not all. According to Elaine Aron, 30 percent of HSPs are extroverts, which can present its own set of challenges.

Most highly sensitive people are introverts, but not all. According to Elaine Aron, 30 percent of HSPs are extroverts, which can present its own set of challenges.

Motivation
How Your Sensitivity Can Help You Reach Your Goals – Part II

Deborah Ward on July 13, 2014

In a previous post, I wrote how our sensitivity can lead us to feeling overwhelmed, but the energy that HPSs are constantly absorbing can also be channeled into our own pursuits, fueling us with the drive we need to reach our goals. Here's how.

In a previous post, I wrote how our sensitivity can lead us to feeling overwhelmed, but the energy that HPSs are constantly absorbing can also be channeled into our own pursuits, fueling us with the drive we need to reach our goals. Here's how.

Empathy
New Research Shows Empathy in HSP's Brains

Deborah Ward on June 28, 2014

Elaine Aron and her colleagues have just published a new study which is the first to prove that the brains of highly sensitive people are markedly different from others. Results of the research showed that sensitivity was associated with activation of brain regions involved in awareness, integration of sensory information, empathy, and action planning.

Elaine Aron and her colleagues have just published a new study which is the first to prove that the brains of highly sensitive people are markedly different from others. Results of the research showed that sensitivity was associated with activation of brain regions involved in awareness, integration of sensory information, empathy, and action planning.

Career
How to Make Work Work for an HSP

Deborah Ward on June 7, 2014

It’s easy for highly sensitive people to become trapped in a victim role, even when it comes to work and the way we spend our spare time. We struggle to find jobs that will fulfil us in a world more focused on monetary gain. But while our natural instinct is to retreat in order to regain our strength, a proactive approach can be the secret to our success.

It’s easy for highly sensitive people to become trapped in a victim role, even when it comes to work and the way we spend our spare time. We struggle to find jobs that will fulfil us in a world more focused on monetary gain. But while our natural instinct is to retreat in order to regain our strength, a proactive approach can be the secret to our success.

Relationships
Coping with an Emotional Bombshell

Deborah Ward on May 28, 2014

Many of us have found ourselves in a situation where we're listening, concerned, and wanting to help. Whether it’s a friend, a parent, a husband or an adult child, however, we can easily become drawn into the emotions of someone else so deeply that we begin to put their needs above our own.

Many of us have found ourselves in a situation where we're listening, concerned, and wanting to help. Whether it’s a friend, a parent, a husband or an adult child, however, we can easily become drawn into the emotions of someone else so deeply that we begin to put their needs above our own.

Mindfulness
How Mindfulness Can Benefit Highly Sensitive People

Deborah Ward on May 5, 2014

Mindfulness is becoming an increasingly common term used to describe a state of being. It’s not a religion or a philosophy, but a technique that encourages acceptance, appreciation and living in the moment. To me, it’s something that highly sensitive people can not only benefit from, but something we do naturally.

Mindfulness is becoming an increasingly common term used to describe a state of being. It’s not a religion or a philosophy, but a technique that encourages acceptance, appreciation and living in the moment. To me, it’s something that highly sensitive people can not only benefit from, but something we do naturally.