You know that you are a highly sensitive person (HSP), or maybe you are starting to realize that you may be. Either way, there are basic choices you can make in your daily life to help yourself navigate the minefields of life.
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Make Boundaries
Boundaries come in many forms. The first and most important is to make boundaries in your relationships. Surround yourself with people that do not create more stress for you. However, this also means letting those you love to know when they are creating more anxiety in your life.
The second type of boundary is one of time and space. If you know that a jam-packed schedule will create tension in your day, do your best to plan your schedule to allow breathing room between meetings or activities. Or give yourself a lunch break away from people and places so you can reset.
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Be Mindful
Again, there are many ways to be mindful. You can be mindful of your schedule, but you can also be mindful of what you allow into your mind. Consider practicing meditation, either guided or on your own, or try yoga in the privacy of your own home. YouTube is a great place to find guided meditation and beginner yoga practices.
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Areas of Relaxation
Create areas of relaxation in your life. Your home and office (if you have a private one), should be areas you feel comfortable, safe, and not triggered by anything. This can be soothing lights, sounds, and scents.
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Self-Care
You’ve heard this before, but I’m gonna say it again: Self-care is more than pedicures, massages, and guilty-pleasure TV shows. However, if all those things help you put you on the list, permission to go for it! Self-care is as basic as eating nutritious meals that fuel your body and mind, drinking water, getting plenty of sleep. Also, not over-doing it on things that make your body go crazy like caffeine or sugary foods. Simple self-care can go a long way and help give you the energy to practice self-care in other forms, such as setting boundaries.
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Know Yourself
You know what causes you stress, so do your best to avoid those. If you do not know what your triggers are, you should work at being more mindful, so you can find the pressure points. Consider keeping a journal and writing about your feelings when you are feeling overwhelmed or anxious. This may allow you to uncover what is causing the tension and you can avoid those in the future. Knowing yourself and your triggers will allow you to better achieve the first four tips in this article so you can be your best self.
Being a highly sensitive person is nothing to be ashamed of. It merely means you need to know yourself a little better and take steps to prepare yourself every day. Through the process of learning to better care for yourself, you may just find that you are stronger and more resilient than you thought.
