ADHD & Hypersensitivity & Empathy

According to this article on ADDitude, being hypersensitive is common among adults with ADHD. 

Hypersensitivity — also known as being a “highly sensitive person” (HSP) — is not a disorder. It is an attribute common in people with ADHD. Symptoms of hypersensitivity include being highly sensitive to physical (via sound, sight, touch, or smell) and or emotional stimuli, and the tendency to be easily overwhelmed by too much information. ...

According to Elaine N. Aron, who wrote the book The Highly Sensitive Person, 15 to 20 percent of the population is born with a high level of sensitivity.

The article further says: 

Psychologist and ADHD coach Michele Novotni, Ph.D., says she sees higher levels of physical sensitivities and emotional reactivity in her ADHD clients than in the general population. She told me about a client whose manager made an unkind, unfair remark at work. A person without ADHD may have let the words bounce off of him, but her client, who has a high level of sensitivity, ended up in tears.

The article has also listed simple but very good strategies to cope with hypersensitivity - I can recommend reading them!

As for me, I am a HSP and an Empath, and according to katieturnerpsychology on Instagram a majority of Empaths tend to also be HSP (but not all).

My sense of smell usually isn't that good, but I can smell hydrogen cyanide, and this year the river in my city smells different, more algal, but I seem to be the only one who can smell the difference from previous years.

My sense of taste also usually isn't that good, I can't taste the difference between chicken and turkey, and I can't taste where and how a wine was grown, but I can taste the difference between water from different districts in my city or from different bottlers.

Today I am walking barefoot at home for the first time in decades. As a child, I only walked on tiptoes because though I love the feeling of carpets, I can't stand the feeling of wooden or stone floors.

At the same time, I am very helpful, sometimes absorb emotions, and have a strong energy sensitivity as well as intuitive awareness.

Also, Introverts often have those traits, that's why I am following some Introvert groups on FB, which is sometimes helpful and often highly amusing! 😁

I found this and I think it shows in a very comprehensive way, what the difference between an Empath and HSP:

tbc.

Ability and inability and "sickness" of a HSP

A guy wrote on a HSP-Facebook page:

It's a funny thing this ability of feeling everyone, combined with the inability of understanding the very same.

That is so so so so true!

And a woman wrote on the same page:

Today was a tough day, I told two of my closest friends that I'm an HSP, they compared that to having schizophrenia or Aspergers syndrome. They were questioning whether medication would make me better. They questioned how I trust my perception of situations around me.. It really hurt. I do not have a mental disorder, I'm just different.... How does one deal with this situation?

I wish I could give her some advice, for I know that situation very well. Yesterday a bro told me he couldn't marry me, because I was sick - oh well ... his bad, not mine :)

It's Good To Be Sensitive! - 25 Wonderful Aspects Of Highly Sensitive People

Wonderful article!

http://richawriter.hubpages.com/hub/Its-Good-To-Be-Sensitive-25-Wonderful-Aspects-Of-Highly-Sensitive-People

Research Report: HSPs Are More Easily Bored in Their Relationships

http://www.hsperson.com/pages/1Aug10.htm

HSPs and Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and Other Illnesses Perhaps Related to "Central Sensitization"

http://www.hsperson.com/pages/2May12.htm

Are ADD and high sensitivity connected or confused?

http://www.highlysensitivesouls.com/blog/?p=449

Highly Sensitive Person - Test

English:

http://www.hsperson.com/pages/test.htm


Deutsch (German):

http://www.zartbesaitet.net/test.htm

HSP: The Challenge of Friendships

HSPs and the struggle with friendships

In the roughly fifteen years since I first learned about the HSP trait, I have met 100s (if not 1000s) of fellow sensitives both in person and through the Internet. One of the most common laments I hear goes something like this: "Why is it so hard for me to make and keep friends, when it seems so easy for everyone else?"

I can completely relate to these sentiments, as I have also struggled with relationship/friendship dynamics during most of my own life. Until at least my late 30s, my friendship patterns were largely shaped by the meta messages from society that I "should" be able to make friends with almost anyone, and then keep those friendships for a lifetime. You could say that I was more concerned about the "container" for my friendships, that the "content" of them. In the course of some serious self-inquiry, it became quite a puzzle for me to understand why so many friendships I formed started well enough, but would fade away very quickly.

Now, I'm not for a moment suggesting that everyone doesn't stuggle with friendships and relationships, now and then. However, there definitely are certain distinct challenges for HSPs, and the whole issue of friends seems more difficult for the HSP, than for most people.

On the most general sense, it would seem that HSPs and non-HSPs often "interpret" and experience the same situations differently... and communication issues arise, even when both people have only the best of intentions. When you consider that only 15-20% of the population have HSP traits, it will generally hold true that most people the average HSP meets will not be HSPs. This can result in an almost immediate "I really don't get who you are" dynamic, which is a rocky foundation on which to start building a friendship.

"Mismatched expectations"

One of the things I have learned about HSPs (both from reading, and from interaction) is that they tend to be rather "deep" people. Most I have met in person loathe "small talk" and "polite chit-chat" and would much rather go directly to a profound conversation about the meaning of life, or the origins of God. However, except for the very self-absorbed, they do also recognize the need for this "idle chatter," as a tool to create connection-- and are generally willing to indulge in it to a limited degree.

Except during a period where I was struggling with social anxiety, I have really never had too much trouble making friends-- it's the keeping them that's the issue. This is where the "mismatched expectations" issue (almost always centered around "depth") comes to the surface. And it's a two-way street.

After a few days or weeks, many HSPs grow disillusioned when they start to realize that their new-found friend is really not interested in discussing anything that extends much beyond little league baseball, Paris Hilton's latest exploits, cookie recipes and truck repair. The HSP wants there to be "more" there... as one friend said to me "That stuff is just fluff of no deeper consequence." This desire to explore in depth also tends to come across with great intensity, which can be both offputting and intimidating to someone who prefers "lighter fare."

It works in reverse, too. I believe a lot of non-HS people are initially attracted to the depth and intensity of HSPs; but while we (well, at least I speak for myself) want that intensity to continue, for other people it's like "the novelty wears off" and they want to return to the less "demanding" way of interacting they consider their "normal." Actually, it feels like they just get tired of the intensity, and want me to "lighten up." It sort of reminds me of a saying my former therapist liked to trot out: "Opposites may attract, but they don't necessarily make good bed-fellows."

Setting Healthy Boundaries

There are other factors that sometimes contribute to an HSP's difficulties in keeping friendships, in the longer run. Not least of these is the tendency of many HSPs to have what I think of as "soft" boundaries.

Most HSPs I meet seem to be very good listeners, combined with a natural tendency towards compassion and empathy. How often have you-- as an HSP-- been told you are "really easy to talk to?" The problem with ever-patient listening is that sometimes it is simply not good for us to keep ourselves eternally engaged in someone else's problems and dramas. Where our "soft" boundaries manifest is when we realize that we really should leave the situation, yet we fail to detach ourselves.

The combination of soft boundaries with empathic listening often combines to create a dynamic in which the HSP gradually becomes someone's "therapist" rather than simply their friend. I'll be the first to admit that I am naturally predisposed to helping those with "broken wings," so I am sure that has influenced my choices-- and I know I am not alone. And yes, I realize that part of "friendship" is about sharing "troubles," but it soon ends up feeling like "one-way traffic," and I find myself pondering "does everyone have this much chaos and drama in their life?" And I am sure the fact that I don't tend to say things like "take your crap and drama to someone else" (which I understand many non-HS people do quite readily) also plays into the picture.

Introverts and Friendships

Many (about 70%) HSPs are introverts. Whereas introversion should not be interpreted as "antisocial," many introverts tend to feel that their friendships are "inadequate," because they compare their circles of friends to extraverts they know, and feel like they are coming up short. They also see themselves as part of a very outgoing society, and start interpreting their natural inclinations to prefer time spent alone as "wrong," which is a big mistake.

Faking who you are in order to make friends with someone will only add to the number of "failed" friendships, in the long run. After all, if you pretend to "like lots of people" and "do lots of stuff" when it's really not what you want, how long will it be before your inner frustration at "not being yourself" will show through your false facade?

Whereas I may get taken to task by some members of the HSP community for saying this, truth is that quite a few HSPs are "high maintenance," often imposing lots of "special needs" and considerations on people around them. There's nothing wrong with asserting one's needs, but a lot of people simply don't have the patience and determination to maintain a friendship with someone who "doesn't want to" participate in a wide range of activities, and insists they "can't" participate unless a laundry list of conditions are met.

Statistics... and the Right to Choose

So is there any hope? Are HSPs doomed to always struggle with friendships and social interaction?

Not necessarily. However, it is important for HSPs to revisit and restate their assumptions about "being friends" with people, and what friendship means to them-- away from "public expectations."

Friendships primarily form across some kind of common ground. It is common sense that if your "ground" (because you're an HSP) is a little bit different, there will simply be fewer people who share that ground in common with you. From what I have observed, many HSPs' distress over friendships can be tracked back to unhealthy comparisons with the so-called "standards" of western society. We're shown messages-- through Madison Avenue, Hollywood, and even our local communities-- that we "should" have lots of life-long friends. The medical community even says that people with many friends can live healthier and longer lives.

The keyword in reading that last sentence is "can." The rules do not apply to everyone.

Statistically speaking, there are simply fewer candidates who are "good friends material" for HSPs. Maybe that sounds defeatist or elitist, but the simple truth is that we all have the right to choose our friends. We also have the right to choose rewarding friendships that fit our individual needs for closeness and depth.

Is it "unfair" that HSPs-- who typically aren't the most socially outgoing people, to begin with-- have to "work harder" to make friends? Maybe it is, but we owe it to ourselves to choose wisely, even if that means we don't get to choose very often.

Dr. Elaine Aron-- who originally identified sensitivity as a "trait," rather than a "pathology"-- is a big proponent of HSPs befriending their peers. Now, that may sound a bit "exclusive," but the truth of the matter is that friends are like our chosen family. Whereas it may sound all nicely egalitarian and politically correct to choose "diversified" friends, the basic truth remains that we choose people to be with because we enjoy their company.

Speaking from personal experience, I happen to like the company of HSPs... and I highly recommend finding and making some HSP friends. Maybe that sounds hard... but it needn't be. Most of my HSP friends started as friends in cyberspace that eventually turned into "real life" friends. Remember, you always have the right to make friends at a pace that "feels right" to you, and the relative slowness of the Internet often works well for HSPs.

When you do choose non-HSP people to befriend, be aware that maybe the relationship will have its limitations-- and don't make the mistake of imposing your needs on someone who really doesn't understand where you're coming from. Take the friendship at face value, and allow it to "be what it is:" Maybe you can only "connect" with Susan in the context of gardening, so allow that to be, rather than dropping Susan because you can't talk deeper metaphysics with her.

Bottom line: As an HSP, the first step towards better friendships is to let go of societal and family expectations about friendships. Stop worrying about how many friends you "should" have, and take some time to figure out what "being friends" with someone means to you. And it's really OK to be "particular."

(denmarkguy.hubpages.com)

5 Gifts of Being Highly Sensitive and 5 Curses: An Interview with Douglas Eby

posted by Beyond Blue

Today I have the pleasure of interviewing Douglas Eby, M.A./Psychology, who is a writer and researcher on the psychology of creative expression, high ability and personal growth. He is creator of the Talent

Development Resources series of sites (including HighlySensitive.org) at http://talentdevelop.com. I know many of you are “highly sensitive” and enjoy articles on that topic, so I am excited to pique his highly-sensitive brain today!

Question: If you had to name the top five gifts of being highly sensitive, what would they be?

Douglas:

1. Sensory detail

One of the prominent “virtues” of high sensitivity is the richness of sensory detail that life provides. The subtle shades of texture in clothing, and foods when cooking, the sounds of music or even traffic or people talking, fragrances and colors of nature. All of these may be more intense for highly sensitive people.

Of course, people are not simply “sensitive” or “not sensitive” – like other qualities and traits, it’s a matter of degree.

Years ago, I took a color discrimination test to work as a photographic technician, making color prints. The manager said I’d scored better, with more subtle distinctions between hues in the test charts, than anyone he had evaluated.

That kind of response to color makes visual experience rich and exciting, and can help visual artists and designers be even more excellent.

2. Nuances in meaning

The trait of high sensitivity also includes a strong tendency to be aware of nuances in meaning, and to be more cautious about taking action, and to more carefully consider options and possible outcomes.

3. Emotional awareness

We also tend to be more aware of our inner emotional states, which can make for richer and more profound creative work as writers, musicians, actors or other artists.

A greater response to pain, discomfort, and physical experience can mean sensitive people have the potential, at least, to take better care of their health.

4. Creativity

Psychologist Elaine Aron, author of The Highly Sensitive Person, estimates about twenty percent of people are highly sensitive, and seventy percent of those are introverted, which is a trait that can also encourage creativity.

As examples, there are many actors who say they are shy, and director Kathryn Bigelow, who recently won an Academy Award, has said, “I’m kind of very shy by nature.” The star of her movie The Hurt Locker, Jeremy Renner (who was reportedly shy as a child) has commented that “in social situations she can be painfully shy.”

5. Greater empathy

High sensitivity to other people’s emotions can be a powerful asset for teachers, managers, therapists and others.

Question: And, if you had to name five curses, what would they be? And how best do we overcome them or co-exist with them?

Douglas:

1. Easily overwhelmed, overstimulated

The biggest challenge in high sensitivity is probably being vulnerable to sensory or emotional overwhelm. Taking in and processing so much information from both inner and outer worlds can be “too much” at times and result in more pain, fatigue, stress, anxiety and other reactions.

An intriguing neuroscience research study I came across that may explain some of this said people with nervous systems having decreased latent inhibition are more open to incoming stimuli. Which can be a good thing, or not so good.

Actor Amy Brenneman once commented, “I’m too sensitive to watch most of the reality shows. It’s so painful for me.”

That kind of pain or discomfort can mean we don’t choose to experience some things that might actually be fun or enriching. Though I don’t mean reality shows.

2. Affected by emotions of others

Another aspect of sensitivity can be reacting to the emotions – and perhaps thoughts – of others. Being in the vicinity of angry people, for example, can be more distressing.

As actor Scarlett Johansson once put it, “Sometimes that awareness is good, and sometimes I wish I wasn’t so sensitive.”

3. Need lots of space and time to ourselves

We may need to “retreat” and emotionally “refresh” ourselves at times that are not always best for our goals or personal growth. For example, being at a professional development conference, it may not be the most helpful thing to leave a long presentation or workshop in order to recuperate from the emotional intensity of the crowd.

4. Unhealthy perfectionism

There can also be qualities of thinking or analyzing that lead to unhealthy perfectionism, or stressful responses to objects, people or situations that are “too much” or “wrong” for our sensitivities.

5. Living out of sync with our culture

Living in a culture that devalues sensitivity and introversion as much as the U.S. means there are many pressures to be “normal” – meaning extraverted, sociable and outgoing.

Dr. Ted Zeff, author of The Highly Sensitive Person’s Survival Guide, points out that other cultures, such as Thailand, have different attitudes, with a strong appreciation of sensitive or introverted people.

Jenna Avery, a “life coach for sensitive souls,” counsels people to accept or even pursue being “out of sync” with mainstream society, and be aware of other’s judgments of people as too sensitive, too emotional, or too dramatic.

And if we are sensitive, we may use those kinds of judgments against ourselves, and think, as Winona Ryder said she did at one time, “Maybe I’m too sensitive for this world.”

Certainly there are extremes of emotions that are considered mood disorders, for example, and should be dealt with as a health challenge.

But “too emotional” or “too sensitive” are usually criticisms based on majority behavior and standards.

Overall, I think being highly sensitive is a trait we can embrace and use to be more creative and aware. But it demands taking care to live strategically, even outside popular values, to avoid overwhelm so we can better nurture our abilities and creative talents.

(blog.beliefnet.com)

Characteristics of Highly-Sensitive People

Roya R. Rad, MA, PsyD, Professor of psychology ECPI university
Posted: 03/ 5/2012 3:04 pm, huffingtonpost.com.

Psychologist Elaine Aron writes in her book The Highly Sensitive Person that about 15 to 20 percent of the population is characterized as highly sensitive (HS). She adds that about 30 percept of people are moderately sensitive, while 50 percent of people think of themselves as being sensitive while they are "not at all sensitive."

What being highly sensitive is NOT:
1. Emotionally immature
2. Self-centered
3. Unpredictable and unstable emotions
4. Over-dependent
5. Demanding and attention thirsty

Characteristics of highly sensitive people:
1. Have great imagination
2. Have great intellectual abilities
3. Are creative
4. Have a curious mind
5. Are hard workers
6. Are good problem solvers
7. Are extremely conscious and compassionate
8. Are intuitive, caring and spiritual
9. Have a strong sense of aesthetic awareness
10. Respect nature, art and music greatly
11. Have profound and intense sensations
12. Can access important information from the unconscious mind
13. Have a depth of understanding and feelings
14. Are objective and can see the bigger picture

If these individuals don't learn to handle their high sensitivity, they may suffer greatly. Some of these are a loss of balance when it comes to a self-sacrifice schema, which always leads to emotional deprivation. For instance, Jeffrey E. Young links high sensitivity, or as he calls it, the "highly empathic temperament" with the Self-Sacrifice Schema (Young, 2003, pp. 246-251), which in turn is almost always related to the Emotional Deprivation Schema. In his opinion, these individuals need to learn to focus on themselves instead of or before focusing on others and to learn to get their own needs met fist, needs they typically are not aware of. After that self understanding, they will have a clear picture of what they want to do with their life to make a difference.

Some ways that can help HS people manage their abilities:

1. Emotionally, highly-sensitive individuals are easily overstimulated up to a point where they may experience great pain or great joy. They can have a combination of an introvert and an extrovert personality traits due to the fact that they need to be by themselves to become centered, and they also love connecting to other people and their environment. As reported before, many of these people learn to mask this gift of sensitivity, intuition and creativity because they do not know how to deal with the overstimulation. Cognitive modification can be helpful

2. Physically, highly-sensitive people need time and space to be by themselves to process the amount of input they absorb. They may have low tolerance to noise and anything too strong when it comes to sensations. They also seem to have more body awareness and can feel when their body is not comfortable in an environment. Therefore, nutritionally they have to stick to simple foods that are full of nutrients and have a healthy balance. They also have to connect to nature and do regular exercise, relaxation, meditation and any other activities that go with their nature to calm themselves down and recharge after the over stimulation.

3. Socially, sometimes HS people may feel like misfits and have to learn ways to tolerate imperfections they see in the depth of others. They need to learn to connect while having clear boundaries as to when to say no and how far to go with something and someone. In addition, HS people need to become assertive and have regular "me" times. When it comes to their social personality, these individuals are usually shy, but their shyness is not because they are weak but rather is based on a need to survive. Since their nature is oversensitive, biologically they are designed to be shy as a self-protection mode. However, if the shyness is too much and is affecting their need to be social and to connect, then they can modify it through behavioral and cognitive modification.

4. Additionally, they have to learn to give and receive love and they have to realize that the process has to have a balance point. They have to understand that self sacrifice that leads to emotional deprivation is not healthy. They have to allow themselves to be vulnerable, face problems rather than running away from them, relate positively to life, and learn from their experiences. Some of these individuals avoid some areas of their life and some of the challenges because of their oversensitivity not realizing that in some of these challenges lies great opportunity.

5. And last but not least, these individuals have to find a meaning in their life. All humanity desires this but for HS people, this is a need. It is their innermost desire to help others be happy, and they can use their abilities to bring their creative side out and make this world a better place for all, even if a small step.

Overall, many of our writers, creators, inventors, imaginaries, discoverers, and people who have contributed greatly to this world may fall in the category of highly sensitive. We need more of these people and we need to encourage them to unleash their potential. For those people who want to become more sensitive, they have to learn ways to overcome society's encouragement to be overly analytical, materialistic and competitive and to encourage themselves and others to cherish this trait and make the best of it.

Sources:

1. Aron, Elaine. The highly sensitive person.
2. Young, Jeffrey E. et al. 2003. Schema Therapy: a practitioner's guide.

Surviving Life as a Highly Sensitive Person

Learning to understand and accept your high sensitvity, while surviving some of life's everyday challenges.

There is a small percentage of the human population that feels out of place, most of the time. This small percentage of the human population possesses the inherited trait of high sensitivity. Exactly what, you may ask, is sensitivity, and why does it cause one to experience life so differently from the rest of the world?

What is High Sensitivity?

Simply put, sensitivity is a heightened response to outside sources of stimulation, according to Elaine Aron, author of the book The Highly Sensitive Person. In her book, Aron explores the fact that being sensitive means that you often see and experience things more intensely, picking up on small details that others typically miss.

Aron also indicates that a highly sensitive person is aware of the unspoken, thinks and contemplates a lot, is intuitive and often creative. They are also often the outwardly calm, insightful members of society who feel compelled to help those around them. A highly sensitive person typically possesses a sense of deeper meaning and purpose to life and will not be satisfied with a vocation that only produces a paycheck.

Difficulties Facing a Sensitive Person

A sensitive’s natural ability to empathize with others means that they often absorb another’s energy and emotions involuntarily. They may have difficulty separating their own emotions from others’, quickly finding themselves in a state of irritation and over-stimulation. Because a highly sensitive person can find themselves feeling overwhelmed in situations where others are not, they may exhibit certain behaviors and characteristics which get misinterpreted. They often get mislabeled as “shy,” “unapproachable,” “extremely sensitive,” “uncommunicative,” or even “incompetent.”

Navigating through life as a sensitive can be difficult if one doesn’t know what’s causing them to feel the way they do. That’s why it’s important to educate yourself about the trait and its implications. A great place to start is with Elaine Aron’s website at HSPerson.com.

A Highly Sensitive Person's Survival Guide

In order to navigate yourself successfully throughout your day, you first have to realize that as a highly sensitive person, you’re going to feel and react differently. The first real step is to realize that you shouldn’t have to apologize for your feelings and your perceptions. Just because they are different, doesn’t mean that they’re wrong. It is very important to come to a state of acceptance about yourself, the trait, and its implications. That said, there are a few simple coping mechanisms that can be helpful:

•     Allow yourself to take a break when feeling over stimulated or on edge. Even if that break is just for five minutes.
• Learn to develop a mental shield to use when there’s a lot of activity going on in your environment. The best way to start practicing is to create a comforting place within your mind that you can “escape” to on a moment’s notice.
• Learn to recognize when your intuition is telling you that a situation or someone may not be the right choice. Don’t put yourself in situations where you know you’re not going to be fulfilled or it’s just going to be “too much.”
• Don’t choose your actions out of a need to make everything ok. You can’t possibly please everyone or make everyone like you. Learn to follow your heart first.
• Believe in your perspective, even if someone else wants to discount it. A sensitive can often sense what’s really going on beneath the surface, which can make others uncomfortable. They also often naturally sense what will result in the most compassionate, understanding, and workable solution.
• Don’t try to be something that you’re not. If others tell you to “toughen up” or “get a thicker skin,” just pretend as though you are listening, but be true to your nature. Trying to compromise who you really are just leads to more stress and eventual discontent.
• Allow yourself to have adequate alone and “downtime.” Try to communicate to others that this is not because you don’t want to socialize at all-it just means you don’t want to socialize right now.
• Realize that there are always going to be people who don’t understand you. Some of them don’t even want to. Learn to understand and accept yourself first.
• Live with passion and meaning. Find what's important to you and do it. Embrace the experience of living.

Sensitivity is an inherited biological trait that can make one more likely to be bothered by outside sources of stimulation. The trait also makes one more aware of subtleties in the environment, which can quickly lead to overthinking. A highly sensitive person may also find themselves being affected by details that others are able to simply ignore or let go. As a highly sensitive person living in today's more stimulating environment, it is important to educate yourself about the trait. It is also important to find ways to adjust your behavioral responses so that you do not become as easily overwhelmed.

(helen-akers.suite101.com)

Find Value in Highly Sensitive Personality Character Traits

Through her extensive research on the Highly Sensitive Person, Elaine N. Aron, PhD celebrates the uncommon HSP personality trait and those who have it.

In her first book, The Highly Sensitive Person: How to Thrive When Life Overwhelms You, Elaine Aron explains the characteristics of a highly sensitive person (HSP). She describes the personality traits of people who feel over-stimulated when others appear unaffected. Dr. Aron is highly sensitive herself and, as a clinical psychologist, has done thorough research to learn the common characteristics, pitfalls and advantages of being an HSP.

5 Characteristics of a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP)

1. Perhaps the most obvious character trait is acuity to things seen, felt, tasted, heard and smelled. For example, an HSP may notice the scent of perfume when others do not. He may be more sensitive to loud noises or may hear subtle sounds when others do not.

2. An HSP may feel overstimulated in a room where many of these senses are activated. For example, this could be a room is filled with a large number of people and even more stimulating, many conversations going on simultaneously. Perhaps the lights are very bright, or the room feels congested or stuffy.

3. An HSP can more poignantly sense the moods of others whether they be positive or negative, especially if this is someone with whom he is in a relationship.

4. An HSP has a keen sense of awareness and can see the big picture easily.

5. An HSP is strongly moved, emotionally, by an experience, memory, artwork or music.

Pitfalls of High Sensitivity

1. The highly sensitive become easily overwhelmed when presented with stimulating situations, deadlines or environments.

2. An HSP needs a strong supply of "down time". He has a stronger need to withdraw from others and may even need to rest before re-integrating.

3. An HSP can be very sensitive to pain.

4. Negative emotional experiences may feel much more traumatic and possibly will take longer to heal.

5. Other people may view sensitivity in a negative light and try to change the HSP, considering this person as "too sensitive".

Advantages of Being Highly Sensitive Person

1. The highly sensitive has a very rich inner life.

2. An HSP is typically very conscientious and persevering.

4. A highly sensitive person is a loyal friend, active listener and the best person to go to for encouragement.

5. An HSP has strong empathy and compassion.

If you see yourself in some of these traits or if you know someone who is highly sensitive, you may want read The Highly Sensitive Person. Aron has written several equally informative and well-received books which include: The Highly Sensitive Person in Love, The Highly Sensitive Child, and her most recent book, The Undervalued Self, which was published in 2010. The highly sensitive make valuable and often critical contributions to society. The more they are understood, the more they will be appreciated and valued.

(georgeann-fries.suite101.com)

Highly Sensitive People in Love

Understanding Intensity and Fear in Intimate Relationships

Highly sensitive people accept & offer love differently. Some highly sensitive people fall in love faster & harder than "regular" people, & others avoid love altogether.

Highly sensitive people don't necessarily have introverted personality traits, and they view love, intimate relationships, and romance differently.

"In respect to falling in love, my research suggests that highly sensitive people do fall in love harder than others," says Dr Elaine Aron in The Highly Sensitive Person: How to Thrive When the World Overwhelms You. But, highly sensitive people don't fall in love indiscriminately, and are known to avoid it completely.

"Highly sensitive people vary more than others in the kinds of arrangements they work out in [love], choosing being single more often than the general population, or firmer monogamy, or close relationships with friends and family members rather than romance," writes Dr Aron.

Sensitive Love: Highly Sensitive People Love Deeply

Feelings of overwhelming, intense love happen more often to highly sensitive people because they're more easily aroused by external and internal stimuli. "Arousal" in this case doesn't simply refer to intimate feelings; highly sensitive people are more sensitive to sounds, sights, and touches. Their nervous systems are fine-tuned and they're in touch with the moods of other people.

Why Sensitive Love is Often Rejected

When highly sensitive people reveal their intense love, they're often rejected. Their love can be too demanding, unrealistic, and smothering. Highly sensitive people may have "no real understanding of the loved one, only some impossible vision of perfection."

Dr Aron states that the intense feelings of highly sensitive people often have little to do with the person they love. This sensitive love is more about intense pent-up feelings that are finally allowed out. In this way, highly sensitive people are similar to introverts.

Highly Sensitive Love: Understanding Overwhelming Love

Highly sensitive people tend towards two extremes in love: overly cautious or overly intense. Dr Aron reassures us that this is normal: many people, highly sensitive or not, do lean towards one extreme or the other. This is why fear of intimacy is common: most of us have been burned in love at one time or another.

The fact that highly sensitive people are easily aroused by their environment makes them more prone to falling in love. Research shows that when people – highly sensitive or not – are aroused, they're more likely to fall in love. Arousal includes more than a sexual state; it's emotional, intellectual, social, and spiritual as well. "…we are more likely to be romantically attracted to someone else if we are aroused in any way, even from running in place or listening to a tape of a comedy monologue," says Dr Aron.

Sensitive Love, Highly Sensitive People, & Low Self-Esteem

Another reason highly sensitive people may experience quick, intense love is low self-esteem. "Highly sensitive people are prone to low self-esteem because they are not their culture's ideal. Sometimes they consider themselves lucky if someone wants them at all." The fear of being alone can induce a highly sensitive person – or anyone at all – to fall in love when they otherwise wouldn't.

Highly sensitive people are more likely to have strong, healthy love relationships when they and their lovers understand and accept the nature of their personality type.

(l-pawlik-kienlen.suite101.com)

I'm a HSP and proud of it :)

5 days ago I found out that I not only have ADD but that I am also a HSP. I am so happy to know now, that there are other people like me, thank God!

Here is a video for more information:

Hochsensible Personen hören, sehen und schmecken mehr

16.01.2012 | 16:41 |  VON THOMAS HARTL (Die Presse)

Im Falle von Hochsensibilität - nach Schätzung sind immerhin rund 20 Prozent der Bevölkerung betroffen - gelangen auf Grund neurologischer Besonderheiten mehr Reize aus der Umwelt in die bewusste Wahrnehmung.

Jeder Mensch nimmt seine Umwelt subjektiv und auf seine ganz spezielle Weise wahr. Zahllose Sinneseindrücke wie Geräusche, Gerüche und optische Reize prasseln unaufhörlich auf uns ein. Viel zu viele, als dass wir sie bewusst wahrnehmen oder sie uns gar Probleme bereiten würden. Letzteres gilt jedoch nicht für alle von uns, denn ein Teil der Bevölkerung, nach Expertenschätzung sind es immerhin rund 20 Prozent, nimmt mehr Informationen aus der Umwelt auf als die anderen. Es handelt sich hierbei um sogenannte hochsensible Personen. Vorweg: Wenn hier von Hochsensibilität die Rede ist, ist damit eine gesteigerte Sensibilität in Bezug auf die Wahrnehmung von Reizen gemeint und nicht die emotionale „Dünnhäutigkeit“ eines Menschen.

Ein Viertel aller Österreicher

„Viele Betroffene wissen gar nicht, dass sie hochsensibel sind. Sie merken zwar, dass sie anders sind als die meisten anderen, aber auch nicht mehr. Wir haben über Jahre hinweg extrem umfangreiche Befragungen gemacht. 70.000 Menschen haben die Fragebögen ausgefüllt. Die Zahlen sind sehr eindeutig“, sagt Georg Parlow, Autor des Buches „Zart besaitet – Selbstverständnis, Selbstachtung und Selbsthilfe für hochsensible Menschen“ (Festland-Verlag).

„Es gibt zwar keine offiziellen Zahlen, aber es dürfte ein Fünftel bis ein Viertel aller Österreicher betroffen sein“, meint Günther Possnigg, Psychotherapeut und Facharzt für Neurologie und Psychiatrie in Wien.
Bei Hochsensiblen werden die Sinnesreize im Gehirn in geringerem Ausmaß gefiltert als üblich. Es gelangen aufgrund neurologischer Besonderheiten mehr Reize in ihre bewusste Wahrnehmung. Sie sehen, riechen, hören, schmecken, ertasten und/oder erfühlen also mehr und intensiver als andere. Für Betroffene bedeutet das eine wahre Flut an Eindrücken, der man sich oft nicht erwehren kann.

Konkret bedeutet eine solche Veranlagung, dass man zum Beispiel Geräusche wahrnimmt und oft auch als störend empfindet, die andere Menschen erst gar nicht registrieren. Dies kann sowohl Leid als auch Freude mit sich bringen. Ein Beispiel: Ein LKW donnert über die Straße und man erzittert ängstlich; ein Vogel singt hoch oben im Baum und man erfreut sich bewusst an den Tönen.
Flucht und erhöhter Stresslevel

Welche Reize Hochsensible im Einzelfall intensiver wahrnehmen, ist unterschiedlich. Manche haben mit Geräuschen ein Problem, andere nehmen Gerüche oder optische Eindrücke intensiver oder facettenreicher wahr. Wieder andere haben ein ausgesprochen feines Gespür für Schwingungen in zwischenmenschlichen Beziehungen.
 

Beispiele aus dem Alltag: Für die einen ist es unerträglich, in einer gesellschaftlichen Runde zu essen, weil all die Gerüche, das Stimmengewirr, der Rauch, die Musik im Hintergrund rasch zur Überlastung des Nervensystems führen. Andere wiederum sprechen stark auf Parfums an, manchen ist es unmöglich sich zu unterhalten, wenn nebenher lautstark Kinder spielen. Die häufigste Reaktion auf dieses Unwohlsein ist Flucht oder zumindest der dringliche Wunsch, die Situation zu verlassen. Dies bedeutet einen erhöhten Stresslevel.

Kann Schmerzen verursachen

Da die Intensität der Informationsaufnahme bei Betroffenen höher ist als bei anderen Menschen, stoßen Hochsensible früher an ihre „Schmerzgrenze“. Eine Überstimulation an Reizen kann in der Tat Schmerzen verursachen, denn bei Überlastung wehrt sich der Körper. Unwohlsein, muskuläre und nervliche Anspannung sind andere Symptome der Überreizung des Nervensystems.
Weiters benötigen Hochsensible viel Zeit, Erlebtes zu reflektieren, darüber nachzudenken, oft endlos zu grübeln. „70 Prozent von uns sind introvertiert und situationsbedingt häufig auf dem Rückzug. Dadurch werden wir oft als scheu und gehemmt eingestuft. Dabei sind die meisten von uns mindestens ebenso kontaktbedürftig wie alle anderen“, sagt Parlow, der selbst zu dieser Personengruppe zählt.

Hochsensibilität ist keine Krankheit, sondern eine Eigenschaft, ein Persönlichkeitsmerkmal. Freilich braucht es für diese Menschen eine Umgebung, die ihren speziellen Bedürfnissen entspricht. Eine nicht angepasste Lebensweise bedeutet ein Gesundheitsrisiko, es besteht dann die Gefahr, psychische oder psychosomatische Erkrankungen zu entwickeln. Hochsensible sind anfällig für bestimmte psychische Erkrankungen, etwa für Angststörungen oder Burnout. Häufig leiden sie unter bestimmten Geräuschen und entwickeln eine Angst vor diesen Geräuschen (Phonophobie genannt).

Ärzte sind da selten kompetent

Kommt man mit seiner Veranlagung gut zurecht, bedarf es keiner medizinischen oder therapeutischen Behandlung. Wenn die Probleme aber aus dem Ruder laufen und die Situation eskaliert in dem Sinn, dass man mit den Reizen nicht mehr umgehen kann und Leid entsteht, dann sollte man sich nach einer geeigneten Therapie umsehen. Wichtig ist, dass man sich einen einfühlsamen Therapeuten sucht, rät Parlow. „Ärzte sind nur selten kompetente Ansprechpartner. Sie wissen zu wenig über dieses Thema und zeigen oft wenig Verständnis, wie mir Betroffene immer wieder mitteilen“, sagt der Autor.
Freilich wird eine Behandlung die Hochsensibilität an sich nicht verändern. „Die ist so wie sie ist. Man kann an der Wahrnehmungsfähigkeit selbst nichts verändern. Veränderbar ist aber die Reaktion auf die Reize, auf das Geschehen“, sagt Possnigg.

Ist der Betroffene behandlungsbedürftig, besteht die Möglichkeit, leichte Antidepressiva zu verabreichen. „Das steigert oft auch die Reizschwelle. Man fühlt sich dann leichter, beschützt, wie in einen Mantel gehüllt. Aufpassen muss man generell bei der Dosierung von Medikamenten. Einerseits wirken diese bei Hochsensiblen oft stärker, andererseits oft auch gar nicht, außer dass die Nebenwirkungen stark hervortreten“, erklärt Possnigg.

Wann Medikamente helfen

Lärmempfindlichen rät Possnigg: „Man sollte durchaus sagen, dass es einem zu laut ist. Es ist wichtig, zu lernen, Grenzen abzustecken.“ Ein Gehörschutz kann helfen, um abzuschalten und einzuschlafen. Medikamente sollte man als Einschlafhilfe nicht nehmen, besser ist es, für eine geräuscharme Umgebung zu sorgen. Possnigg: „Medikamente kommen höchstens dann zum Einsatz, wenn eine emotionale Erschöpfung eingetreten ist. Ist der Leidensdruck sehr groß, etwa wenn man sich mit anderen Menschen nicht mehr normal unterhalten kann, ohne in Stress zu geraten, dann können Medikamente helfen.“
 

Die facettenreiche und tiefe Wahrnehmung befähigt häufig zu tiefen Gefühlen, spirituellen Einsichten und dem Erkennen komplexer Zusammenhänge. Kreative Menschen, Künstler und Denker sind in dieser Gruppe überproportional anzutreffen. Auch wenn in der heutigen Zeit, in der schnelle Entscheidungen, Durchsetzungskraft und Wagemut gefragt sind, Hochsensible es nicht eben leicht haben, mit ihrer Persönlichkeit zu punkten, so finden sie ihre Nischen in kreativen und sozialen Bereichen.

WEITERE INFORMATIONEN UNTER

www.zartbesaitet.net
www.hochsensibel.org

(diepresse.com)

The Highly sensitive person

http://books.google.at/books?id=3TaK1vfrLAAC&q=The+Highly+sensitive+person&dq=The+Highly+sensitive+person&hl=de&sa=X&ei=BtEWT5rkK4K8-QatkIijBA&ved=0CDAQ6AEwAA

Top 10 Survival Tips for the Highly Sensitive Person (HSP)

Secrets to surviving a highly sensitive (HSP) life
Published on May 21, 2011 by Dr. Susan Biali, M.D. in Prescriptions for Life

I've written about being a Highly Sensitive Person on this blog several times now, and each time I'm amazed by the intensity with which people respond to this topic. There are always a few critics who belittle or question the HSP concept, yet based on the huge number of page reads and overwhelmingly positive (and often grateful) responses, there really does seem to be something to this HSP phenomenon.

I first learned of this relatively common but misunderstood trait - and recognized myself in it - via the work of psychologist Dr. Elaine Aron (for detailed info on her work in this area, as well as an HSP self-test, see www.hsperson.com ). According to Aron's stats, HSPs make up 15-20 percent of the population yet often don't have a name for what has made them feel or seem "strange" or "overly sensitive" their entire life.

HSPs are easily overwhelmed by stimuli, get stressed by loud noises and strong smells, are extremely perceptive, have rich and often intense internal lives, and need plenty of quiet and down time to maintain their equilibrium (and sanity, I would personally add).

It was a great relief to me to finally understand what was "wrong" with me. I now even had an explanation for why I find any kind of violence, even the fake Hollywood kind, so abhorrent. It's not easy to go to a epic action movie with friends and to be the only one sobbing after war scenes (despite having covered my eyes the whole time - having only two hands I'm not able to cover my ears and the battle sounds alone are usually enough to push me over the edge).

Knowing what I am has helped so much, especially when it comes to supporting myself through experiences that otherwise might overload my hypersensitive senses. Here, for you, are my top ten survival strategies:

1) Get enough sleep

Lack of sleep (less than 7 hours, for most people) is well known to produce irritability, moodiness, and decreased concentration and productivity in the average person. Given our already ramped-up senses, I'm convinced that lack of sleep can make a highly sensitive life almost unbearable. Getting enough sleep soothes your senses and will help you cope with an already overwhelming world.

2) Eat healthy foods regularly throughout the day

Aron points out that extreme hunger can be disruptive to an HSP's mood or concentration. Keep your edgy nerves happy by maintaining a steady blood sugar level through regular healthy well-balanced meals and snacks. I also take fish oil (omega-3) supplements daily as the brain loves these, lots of studies support their beneficial cognitive and emotional effects.

3) Wear noise-reducing headphones

A boyfriend introduced Peltor ear protecting headphones (usually used by construction workers, not pre-med students) to me when I was 19 and studying for exams. No matter where I am in the world I have had a pair with me ever since. HSPs are highly sensitive to noise, especially the kind we can't control, and my beloved headphones give me control over my personal peace in what's all too often a noisy intrusive world.

4) Plan in decompression time

HSPs don't do well with an overly packed schedule or too much time in noisy, crowded or high pressure environments. If you know you're going to spend a few hours in a challenging environment - such as a concert, a parade, or a crowded mall at Christmas time - know that you're likely to be frazzled after and will need to decompress somewhere quiet and relaxing, on your own if possible.

5) Have at least one quiet room or space to retreat to in your home

If you live with others, create a quiet safe place you can retreat to when you need to get away from people and noise. This could be a bedroom, a study, or even just a candlelit bath (or shower if that's all you have!). I've found it often helps to listen to quiet relaxing music as well, this can even drown out more jarring external noise when you need it to.

6) Give yourself time and space to get things done

I mentioned above that HSPs don't do well with a packed schedule. I've managed to structure my work life so that I work afternoon/evening shifts the days I'm at the medical clinic. This way I'm able to get out of bed without an alarm, eat a calm unrushed breakfast and putter around before getting down to business. The calm this gives me carries through my whole day. Another strategy for those who work in the morning might be getting up extra early (after 8 hours sleep, of course) to enjoy the quiet before the rest of the household wakes up.

7) Limit caffeine

HSPs are sensitive to caffeine - I usually can't even handle the traces of caffeine found in decaf coffee. If you're a coffee drinker (or dark chocolate junkie) and identify with the HSP trait description, giving up the joe might be a big step towards feeling more collected and calm.

8) Keep the lights down low

I've never liked bright lights and learning about HSP helped me understand why. Minimizing light stimulation goes a long way: I only put on low lights in the evening, and prefer to shop in certain local grocery stores which have gentle mood lighting, avoiding the garishly lit, crowded "big box" stores whenever I can.

9) Get things done in off hours

To avoid crowds and the associated noise and stimulation, I've learned to live my life outside of the average person's schedule. I grocery shop late in the evenings, run errands during the week whenever I can, go to movies on weeknights, and go out for my walks before the rest of the world hits the jogging path. An added bonus: by avoiding the crowds I usually get things done faster , and almost always get a parking spot!

10) Surround yourself with beauty and nature

Since we HSPs are so sensitive and deeply affected by our surroundings, envelop yourself with beauty and calm whenever possible. I've decorated my home simply in a way that's very pleasing to my eye, with minimal clutter and chaos. I also spend as much time as I can walking in nature, enjoying the quiet and its naturally healing and calming beauty.

Dr. Susan Biali is a practicing medical doctor, wellness expert, international speaker, life coach and professional flamenco dancer. She is also the author of Live a Life You Love: 7 Steps to a Healthier, Happier, More Passionate You.

(psychologytoday.com)

Hypersensitivity: Are You a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP)?

Could you be hypersensitive? If you keep hearing "you're so sensitive!" from family and friends, you could be a highly sensitive person (HSP) and have hypersensitivity.
by Zoe Kessler

After I told my younger sister, Melissa, about my attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADD/ADHD) diagnosis, we reminisced about our childhood. “If there were family arguments, we would think it was something little, but, for you, it was huge,” said Melissa. “Something that I considered a minor spat, you felt was monumental and earth-shattering.” It wasn’t until I was 48 that I recognized what caused me to be a drama queen: I was born with ADD/ADHD and hypersensitivity.

What Is Hypersensitivity or Who Are Highly Sensitive People (HSP)?
Being a highly sensitive person (HSP) is not a disorder. In fact, it brings many benefits, such as being able to “read” the mood of a room quickly and factoring in subtle cues when making a decision. “It’s good in some situations and not in others,” says psychologist and psychotherapist Elaine N. Aron, Ph.D., author of The Highly Sensitive Person. She believes knowing that you have hypersensitivity is important. As with ADD/ADHD, being aware of it makes you realize that you’re not alone.

Symptoms of Hypersensitivity 

• High level of sensitivity to phyiscal (via sound, sigh, touch, or smell) and or emotional stimuli
• More likely to suffer from asthma, eczema, and allergies
• Easily overwhelmed by too much information

How I Disocered My Hypersensitivity or Highly Sensitive Personality (HSP)
I first learned about the genetic nature of hypersensitivity by reading Scattered, by Gabor Maté, M.D., a physician and psychotherapist. “People with ADD are hypersensitive,” says Maté. “That is not a fault, it is how they were born. It is their inborn temperament.” When I read The Highly Sensitive Person, by psychologist and psychotherapist Elaine N. Aron, Ph.D., I finally recognized this sensitivity in myself. According to Aron, 15 to 20 percent of the population is born with a high level of sensitivity.

“When you know that you are highly sensitive, it reframes your life,” says Aron. Knowing that you have this trait will enable you to make better decisions. “Sensitive people have to live differently in order to be comfortable.” Clinicians working with people with ADD/ADHD view hypersensitivity, both physical and/or emotional, as a common comorbid condition.

“[People with ADD/ADHD] often are hypersensitive in one of the sensory domains: sound, touch, or smell,” says Ned Hallowell, M.D., author of Driven to Distraction. “My daughter with ADD/ADHD will only wear cotton, she won’t wear wool.”

I discovered that my longtime habit of fidgeting with my hair was due to hypersensitivity. I dislike the feel of hair strands tickling my face and neck, so I bunch it up in a knot. Before long, it feels like someone is driving her knuckles into my skull, just where I’ve knotted my hair. So down it comes. And so on, throughout the day. Other sensitivities include sounds and visual stimuli -- flashing lights and moving objects. Studies suggest that those with ADD/ADHD also suffer more from asthma, eczema, and allergies -- conditions of hypersensitivity -- than those without ADD/ADHD.

More Signs of Hypersensitivity, HSP
Prior to discovering my hypersensitivity, I perceived my over-the-top emotions as a character flaw. My mom would say, “Why can’t you get on an even keel?” As a child, I didn’t have an answer. This added to my already-low self-esteem.

“Recognizing their high sensitivity can help people stop feeling bad about themselves,” says Aron.

A friend, Denise, diagnosed with ADD/ADHD at age eight, had a similar childhood to mine. “My parents would say, ‘You need to toughen up. Don’t be so sensitive. Don’t be so influenced by what others think about you,’” says Denise. “I still find, as an adult, that if I’m fighting with peers, I immediately take their words and gestures to heart. I’m too quick to accept the nasty things they may be saying about me.”

Like me, Denise is sensitive to environmental noise. “I need to get into a forest or a quiet place every once in awhile to calm myself down. I am also overwhelmed by the constant flow of information we are bombarded with these days.”

Psychologist and ADD/ADHD coach Michele Novotni, Ph.D., says she sees higher levels of physical sensitivities and emotional reactivity in her ADD/ADHD clients than in the general population. She told me about a client whose manager made an unkind, unfair remark at work. A person without ADD/ADHD may have let the words bounce off of him, but her client, who has a high level of sensitivity, ended up in tears.

Novotni suggests that it is her ADD/ADHD clients’ feeling overwhelmed that leads to their hypersensitive reactions. This, in turn, contributes to their difficulty in coping emotionally. Take the routine of going to work in the morning. Most people get out the door without forgetting anything, ready with a game plan for the day. Someone with ADD/ADHD, who can’t sort tasks and prioritize, feels tired and overwhelmed by the time he gets to work.

“Some of my clients tell me that socializing is work,” says Novotni. “So if you think about the things that most people do for recreation as being work, you probably won’t have the resiliency to cope with other things that come down the pike.”

Why People With ADD/ADHD Are Likely to Have Hypersensitivity, HSP
“Just as we have trouble filtering what goes out,” says Hallowell, who has ADD/ADHD himself, “we have trouble filtering what comes in. I can’t back this up with research, but in my clinical experience, and in my own life, it seems that we tend to let things get to us. We take on the experiences of others very quickly, like the insect on the leaf that takes on the color of the leaf.”

Maté explains that, if ADDers are born with a high level of sensitivity, it takes less stimulation for them to feel more. We had rather tune out stimulating conversations and environments, says Maté. The more sensitive we are, the more likely we’ll feel pain. “Emotional pain and physical pain are experienced in the same part of the brain,” he says.

Many of us have discovered positive things about living with ADD/ADHD, and a high level of sensitivity may also be used to our advantage. But like ADD/ADHD, hypersensitivity must be managed and controlled to let the positive aspects -- creativity, empathy, and depth of perception -- shine through. I’ve managed to do it, and so can you.

Hypersensitivity, HSP Treatments

• Honor your sensitivity. Don’t make yourself do things that are difficult. As much as possible, choose situations that suit your temperament. Highly sensitive people need more time than others to process the events of the day, so don’t overload yourself by going out in the evening.
• Step back. Allow yourself your emotional reaction to a situation, but accept that there are other possibilities. Calm down, analyze the situation, and rethink it; pause for reflection. 
• Block it out. To avoid sensory overload and anxiety, always have earplugs and a headset with you to block out noise. 
• Tone it down. If crowds and noise are problems, find venues that are quieter and less populated -- a smaller grocery store instead of a major chain, for example, or a small doctor’s office located in a home instead of a large group practice at a hospital. 
• Reduce extraneous stimulation by saying no to things you don’t have to do or that you just don’t want to do. 
• Make sure you’ve had enough sleep, or take a nap, before facing a situation that will be highly stimulating. 
• Meditate, pray, or use another relaxation method to strengthen your ability to cope with day-to-day challenges.

(additudemag.com)