What Does it Mean to be a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP)?
HSPs make up about 15-20% of the population. We are high in a personality trait known as sensory-processing sensitivity. And, just like our queen Lady Gaga preached…we are born this way.
Physiological Differences in HSPs
HSPs have 3 key physiological characteristics that differ from non-HSPs. They are…
🧠 Greater activity in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (the part of your brain that allows for emotional vividness)
🪞 More active mirror neurons (this plays a part in many HSPs ability to pick up on the emotional energies of others or experience a greater degree of empathy)
🎭 Sensory Processing Sensitivity (in other words, we process sensory information more deeply and intensely than others due to differences in our nervous system’s reactivity)
Where Did the Term ‘HSP’ Come From?
The term “HSP” came from psychologist Elaine Aron. In the year 1997 she, (along with psychiatrist and sleep researcher Ernest Hartmann), developed the well-known Highly Sensitive Person Scale - a 17-item survey to measure an individual’s sensitivity.
If you’re curious if you are highly sensitive, I would encourage you to take her test and check out my blog post on 12 Signs You Are a Highly Sensitive Person.
Since then, highly sensitive people have been emerging to share their stories (and their struggles) with the world through books, podcasts, YouTube videos, and more.
Life as a HSP
As someone who is HSP myself, I can tell you it’s not all sunshines and rainbows. If I don’t keep up a solid routine, healthy habits, and supportive community around me my nervous system can easily shift gears into overwhelm mode. Over the years, I’ve explored countless modalities to help me in overcoming some of the drastic mood and energy shifts that have accompanied my more sensitive nature. Through this exploration, I have found a reservoir of practices and self-inquiry exercises that have helped me reframe my relationship with my sensitivity and find balance in my life.
Now I’m putting this first-hand research together in a digital course designed specifically for highly sensitive people and empaths! The course will help you reclaim your energetic sovereignty, by empowering you with tools, practices, and exercises to support you in embracing your sensitivity. The waitlist is currently open - you can find out more information here!
Being a highly sensitive person means embracing the full spectrum of emotions, from joy to sadness, and everything in between. It means listening to your intuition, honoring your boundaries, and practicing self-care with compassion and kindness. It means recognizing the beauty and richness that sensitivity brings to your life and embracing it as a precious gift to be cherished and shared with the world.
