The Highly Sensitive Person: How to Thrive When the World Overwhelms You

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I questioned a lot of her claims (some based on research, some not) about biological traits vs. acquired traits. For example, she goes on at length about how shyness is an acquired trait, unlike sensitivity which is inborn. This didn't make sense to me. Why can't shyness be inborn too? Judith Orloff draws from her own experiences in her book The Empath’s Guide to Survival. She also discusses the different types and characteristics of empaths. At chapter 5 the only thing remotely helpful it's said is to advise to mute commercials when watching TV as commercials are intended to be highly stimulating. Everything else so far either doesn't apply to me (even though I scored high on the test included), is insulting and generalities to non-HSP people, contradictory or obviously false. People can also draw inspiration from the men interviewed in this book who have learned to live well with high sensitivity in their lives. This title kept me engaged for about one third of the book. After that I started skimming, and when I had to force myself to keep going I said "Hey, what's up with that, I might as well be reading something fun."

PDF / EPUB File Name: The_Highly_Sensitive_Person_-_Elaine_Aron.pdf, The_Highly_Sensitive_Person_-_Elaine_Aron.epub With so few people knowing and being HSP it can be hard to appreciate the gift that is being sensitive and knowing how to harness it in an overwhelming world. Aron shows us that sensitivity should be cherished and that the world needs it even if they do not know it. Overstimulation is a sensitive’s bête noire. I’m wondering if I qualify. I do react strongly to caffeine and alcohol, so I rarely drink either. I’m often cold. Some noises make me lose my mind. I swear at motorcyclists whom I suspect have modified their exhaust pipes to amplify their revs and I harbour dark fantasies about the feral dogs my neighbours keep in the yard and who bark through the night. But perhaps I react strongly to caffeine and alcohol because I don’t drink them much. For the other example, I could be responding as much to perceived selfishness as noise itself. Plus, it is often cold. HSP? TBC. When I must compete or be observed while performing a task, I become so nervous or shaky that I do much worse than I would otherwise. I decided to read this after Anne from Modern Mrs. Darcy (modernmrsdarcy.com) recommended it for those of us who would consider ourselves more sensitive than the average person. I remember the blog post distinctly because it was the first time I had ever heard anyone else mention the topic of people who tend to "screen" books with violent content because they prefer to avoid any type of entertainment with it. As someone who has always avoided books, movies and TV shows with violence as well as scary movies in general, this caught my attention. I always thought that my tendency to avoid scary movies was due to my overactive imagination that caused me to have frequent and vivid nightmares after watching these types of movies, which is in part true, but this is also a sign that you might be highly sensitive.

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Highly Sensitive People in an Insensitive World by Ilse Sand teaches us how to find happiness, calm, and empowerment in a world that’s often overwhelming. Have you ever thought you were weird because you couldn't stand to watch movies or read books with a lot of violence in them while other people seemed to love that stuff? Have you ever felt completely overwhelmed from being around a lot of noise, strong scents, or bright lights, especially florescent lights? Have you ever been called "too sensitive" or "too shy?" Are you deeply moved by art and music? Are you particularly sensitive to changes in temperature, body language, and your surroundings? Do other people's moods affect you? If so, you might be highly sensitive.

Empath by Judy Dyer is an empowering read for anyone discovering their empathetic nature, encouraging you to embrace your gifts and turn your ability to tune-into the emotions and needs of others into “something beautiful.” If you’re interested in learning more about these traits, whether within yourself or those you spend time with, here are a couple of my favorite self care books and many more on my reading list. best self care books for highly sensitive people and empaths Children can display symptoms of high sensitivity early on, and they should understand how they can best cope. It is highly encouraged that parents read this book, which takes the complexities of HSP and aids them in guiding their children through what may be difficult times. This way, they can minimize the confusion that children face when trying to understand why they are different from their peers.

If the answer is yes, you are likely to be a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP)—and this book will be your guide to embracing your innate sensitivity and accepting your most authentic self. It will empower you to: Introverts are still social beings. In fact, their well-being is more affected by their social relationships than is the well-being of extroverts.” – Elaine N. Aron, PhD, The Highly SensitivePerson For over 20 years, research has continually improved our understanding of what it means to be a highly sensitive person. The fields of psychology, neurology, and therapy practice have found over and over that this trait is normal, healthy, and in many cases, a powerful gift. While the book is well written it is hard to read and takes some time to work through, with the many exercises and tasks to ponder on. Still, a truly eye-opening book that everyone should read, whether you are an HSP or not, knowing the wonderful diversity of people and how everyone is needed, is crucial for a world that appreciates and benefits from the glorious diversity. Sensitivity has a PR problem: we’re accustomed to seeing its downsides,” says Jenn Granneman, one of the writers of a new book on the subject, Sensitive: The Power of a Thoughtful Mind in an Overwhelming World. Co-authored with Andre Sólo, they’re also founders of Sensitive Refuge, described as the world’s largest network of HSPs. Sensitive is synonymous with oversensitive, explains Granneman, and HSPs are often told they should “be less sensitive”. Yet it’s impossible to change the reactivity of one’s nervous system. It’s like trying to be less tall. It’s impossible to change the reactivity of one’s nervous system. It’s like trying to be less tall

Thoroughly disappointed. As I identify as an introvert, I have become increasingly suspicious that I might be high sensitive (or a HSP) as well. While it is wise to accept what we cannot change about ourselves, it is also good to remember that we are never too old to replace discouragement with bits and pieces of confidence and hope.” – Elaine N.Aron, PhD, The Highly Sensitive Person Psychologist Elaine N. Aron has produced several books on the subject of highly-sensitive people. This appears to have been her first and is, I suspect, her most commercial. In it, she attempts to introduce the theory that there exists a distinct set of human beings who are genetically wired with a heightened sensitivity to all things sensory. Unlike the introvert, who purportedly thrives in isolation and opts for solitude or smaller groups when given the choice, the highly-sensitive person has trouble withstanding the cacophony of the wider world and is constitutionally compelled to seek sanctuary when confronted with an abundance of stimulation - whether she wishes to or not. The distinction is a subtle one, and made all the more difficult to draw by the author's freshman approach to this sort of presentation. Much of the material has been dumbed down for the layman, couched in wildly-contradictory terms, and richly romanticized. Again, first book. One assumes lessons have been learned.Are you looking for great books for highly sensitive people? In this article, guest writer Camille Parker shares 4 powerful must-reads for the highly sensitive person. It helped me better understand my relationships with other people, society, and myself, and pointed with a more defined focus to a life purpose I've always felt drawn towards but was missing the ingredient of my sensitivity. Self-care for Empaths by Tanya Carroll Richardson is a simple, easy-to-digest (and therefore good for those days when you don’t feel like self care is even an option emotionally) book full of 100 activities to help you recharge and rebalance. People identify to varying degrees and for some, it’s simply the most available term. “I didn’t know it was A Thing. Creative people are just more porous. HSP sounds better,” muses bestselling author Jojo Moyes. “It’s helpful not to feel like a weirdo because I worry about the last baked bean left on my plate.”

But I worried that perhaps there was maybe a little bit too much "feel good about yourself for being a special HSP!" message. Seriously, who does have a high tolerance for doing a job that isn't meaningful? In essence, reading self care books specifically written for Highly Sensitive People has taught me so much about myself and human nature in general. And it all began with Elaine Aron’s groundbreaking piece, The Highly Sensitive Person: How To Thrive When The World Overwhelms You.

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Aron writes of her own and other HSPs ’stories and how they have used their skills to help others and themselves to grow and live full lives. She writes of all the research that went into this book with many helpful tips on exploring your sensitivity and using it to your advantage.