Being a highly sensitive person is as much a blessing as it is a curse. I know exactly what I'm talking about. I'm one myself. Sensitive people experience all emotions in multiples of intensity, both the positive ones: love, joy, feelings of happiness, and the negative ones. They are more prone to anxiety, depression, and last but not least, they are also more prone to burnout.
Clothes tags
"Don't be so sensitive." A phrase that every highly sensitive person has probably encountered at some point. But we can stop being so sensitive? The answer is: hardly. Don't confuse hypersensitivity with hypersensitivity disorder, which occurs in response to traumatic events. High sensitivity is an innate personality traitwith which 15-20 % people are born in our society and is perfectly normal.
Being highly sensitive is actually great. In fact, people with exceptional sensitivity have the ability to make connections between different topics and are often empathetic, intuitive and caring. They have an attention to detail that gives them a higher aesthetic sensibility, and therefore tend to be very creative. According to the study of Dr. Jagiellowicz with these people are also great at empathizing with others. So the next time you have a conversation with an attentive, empathetic and listening person who could be called your willowit is possible that this is a highly sensitive individual.
Even just experiencing feelings deeply can be a great advantage. For example, according to research by the Arons, highly sensitive women had a greater sense of being loved during sexual activity. Interestingly, highly sensitive individuals also have an above-average reactive nervous systemwhich influences how they perceive stimuli coming from the environment. This means that they notice small details that escape people without high sensitivity: they hear sounds that others can't pick up, or they have to cut all those scratchy tags off their clothes.
Higher sensitivity and higher susceptibility to burnout?
Unfortunately, experiencing more strongly has its negatives. By being more prone to feelings of anxiety and also generally less able to cope with stress, sensitive people often become overwhelmed, which can lead to burnout. And because of the fact that before often put themselves before others, failing to ask for help in time.
What about it?
The important thing is to learn to start see their hypersensitivity as an advantage. Use your good qualities in caring for others, but not forgetting ourselves. Here are five tips that can help hypersensitive people take care of themselves.
Exercise - by yourself
Maybe you don't like certain sports. Maybe ones that require a lot of social interaction, loud music or competition. Highly sensitive people are more likely to be in sports where they can slow down, quiet down and experience their bodies. These could include yoga, running (in nature), swimming, cycling or contemporary dance. Ideally, you should find time at least 3-4 times a week for half an hour of exercise.
Restrict screens
We live in a world where a huge amount of information is constantly flowing to us. We always have our phones handy, work often requires a computer screen, and people relax in front of the TV to unwind. But screens and their blue light have a negative effect on our nervous system. Try implementing simple rules. Don't look at your phone for at least an hour before going to bed and an hour after waking up. Instead, read, exercise or go for a short walk. If you want to experiment, you might try screen-free day. Set aside one day a week just for yourself, without a screen.
Write when your arm hurts
If you feel overwhelmed by your thoughts, emotions or life in general, try writing it all out on paper. Keep writing until your hand hurts and you tell yourself that you just can't write any more. Highly sensitive people process their experiences more slowly than others, and the feeling of overwhelm (which can then become burnout) can come from the fact that many experiences have been left unprocessed. Put them on paper so you don't have to carry them around in your head.
Self-care as prevention
It pays to be attentive to each other even with small gestures. Taking a warm bath, listening to music, going for a long walk with a friend, drinking enough water, or taking time Any Other an activity that makes you feel good. Try to find a moment every day and do something nice for yourself.
Sleep, sleep, sleep
Without quality sleep, it's like you're inviting burnout syndrome into your life. Sleep is hugely important for highly sensitive people, on average they need to sleep a little longer than the rest of the population. A minimum of 8 hours (but on average, sensitive people sleep 9-10 hours) is essential for active and happy days. Taking an afternoon nap, going to bed at 10:00 or sleeping in and getting up a little later: it's all perfectly fine.
In conclusion
The main message is that high sensitivity is perfectly normal. It can have many benefits, but you need to take care of yourself, be considerate and kind to yourself. If you start to experience changes in yourself that might relate to feeling burnt out, or maybe you just don't know yourself and need to learn more about it, we're here for you. Don't be afraid to ask for help.
