For highly sensitive people, the world can be an overwhelming place. For some, heightened awareness to the words and feelings of others leaves you feeling worn out. For others, heavy traffic, bright lights, and crowded spaces leave you daydreaming about moving to a secret island all your own. 

For all highly sensitive people, the daily grind of life can feel like too much. 

But there is hope! With a bit of planning and self-care, you will be able to navigate the daily challenges of life without feeling exhausted and overwhelmed.

Use the strategies below to make a plan, so that when it all feels like too much, you can turn toward kindness and care, instead of self-contempt and judgment.

1. Take Time to Recharge.

Highly sensitive people often need more time to recharge after intense sensory experiences. While it's not always possible to take time away to recharge, you can do your best to schedule it when possible. For instance, if you know you have a major project deadline coming up at work, make sure you're getting extra sleep at night. Plan periods of rest on the weekends, and strategically use vacation days when you begin to feel depleted. You can even plan ten minutes to lie down after work, or create a bath ritual to use after a hard day. Another way to make sure you don't overextend yourself is to schedule alone time before parties, and avoid back-to-back activities.

2. Cultivate Enjoyable Sensory Experiences

Many highly sensitive people spend their days trying to avoid or manage unpleasant sensory experiences. Some of these may include strong fragrances, loud traffic, fluorescent lighting or uncomfortable textures. Though there are challenges to experiencing the world so deeply, you can also use it to your benefit to deeply enjoy positive sensory experiences. Use pleasant essential oils, listen to soft music, give yourself a massage, and wear soft, cozy clothes to bring enjoyable sensory experiences into your life.

3. Give Yourself Permission to Process

As a highly sensitive person, you process at a much greater depth than non-sensitive people. This means it may take more time to fully recognize and name your own emotions and ideas. You may end up feeling flustered or reactive if you don't have enough time to process the large amounts of data your brain is being given. It is ok to give yourself permission to process at your own pace. And it is ok to ask to return to the conversation after you've taken time to gather your thoughts and feelings.

4. Connect with Nature

If you're feeling overwhelmed or overstimulated, plan a quiet walk or a hike to reconnect with nature. Not only are there proven health benefits to spending time in the outdoors, time in the wild can help increase endorphins, quiet a busy mind, and provide some much-needed solitude to recharge. If you don't have time for a hike or retreat, take a few minutes outside to feel the sun on your skin and your feet on the ground.

5. Focus on Nutrient Rich Foods

Highly sensitive people often have a heightened reaction to certain foods. They may also find that caffeine, alcohol, or sugar take an exceptional toll on their bodies and zap their energy. Though not all highly sensitive folks experience food allergies, it's important to focus on eating nutrient rich foods to decrease inflammation and to notice what foods deplete your energy.

6. Pursue Meaning & Creativity

Sometimes, you may feel overwhelmed by the complexity of all your mind and body are trying to process. For people who intuit the world as deeply as you do, using creative outlets such as art, music, writing and yoga can clear the clutter in your mind. Meaning-filled activities can help you make sense of the deeply impactful moments you experience every day.

It’s vital that we take time to do the things that warm our hearts and give us energy. Turn toward self-compassion when you're feeling overwhelmed, and care tenderly for your heart, your mind, and your body. 

Are you ready to leave the overwhelm behind and learn to embrace your life as a highly sensitive person?

Contact me today!