What it means to be a highly sensitive person (HSP)

What Is a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP)?

Coined by psychologist Dr. Elaine Aron, the term “Highly Sensitive Person” refers to people who have a more responsive central nervous system.

HSPs tend to:

• Feel emotions deeply, both their own and others’

• Pick up on subtle details, changes, and moods

• Need more downtime to recover after stimulation or socialising

• Struggle with overwhelm in chaotic or noisy environments

• Have rich inner worlds, including deep empathy, creativity, or intuition

It’s important to note: High sensitivity is not a diagnosis. It’s not anxiety, a flaw, or something to fix. It’s a natural variation in how we experience the world.

Are You Highly Sensitive?

You might be an HSP if:

• You cry easily during films or touching moments

• You avoid violent media or feel unsettled by tension

• You need quiet time after busy days, social events, or screen use

• You get startled easily or feel jumpy when overstimulated

• You’re often told you’re “too emotional,” “too intense,” or “too much”

Many HSPs go through life feeling misunderstood. We’re often told to “toughen up,” “stop overthinking,” or “be less emotional” which only fuels shame and disconnection. But when you begin to honour your sensitivity, everything can shift.

The Hidden Strengths of High Sensitivity

Being highly sensitive isn’t a weakness, it’s a form of deep attunement.

HSPs often have:

• Heightened empathy and emotional intelligence

• Creative and spiritual insight

• A strong conscience and desire for fairness

• Deep connections with nature, animals, and loved ones

• The ability to notice and nurture what others overlook

Many healers, artists, therapists, and visionaries are HSPs. Sensitivity, when supported, becomes a superpower.

Challenges of Being Highly Sensitive (And How to Navigate Them)

Without the right tools, being highly sensitive can feel draining—especially in a fast, noisy, screen-filled world.

Common struggles include:

• Burnout from people-pleasing or over-giving

• Trouble sleeping due to a racing mind

• Anxiety or sensory overload in busy environments

• Emotional exhaustion after conflict or criticism

• Difficulty setting boundaries or saying no

This is where gentle, nervous system-based support can make all the difference.

Have you ever been told you’re “too sensitive”?

Do loud noises, bright lights, or strong emotions feel overwhelming at times?

You might be a Highly Sensitive Person - also known as an HSP.

And no, it’s not “all in your head.”

High sensitivity is a nervous system trait experienced by around 15–20% of the population. It means your brain processes information and emotions more deeply than others. While that might sound like a burden at first, it can actually be a profound gift once you understand it.

As a hypnotherapist working with highly sensitive people, I’m here to help you unpack what this means and how to thrive with it.

How Hypnotherapy Can Help HSPs Thrive

As a hypnotherapist, I work with highly sensitive people to:

• Rewire subconscious patterns like overthinking, perfectionism, or people-pleasing

• Create emotional safety and calm within the body

• Heal trauma and nervous system dysregulation

• Build authentic confidence and self-trust

• My sessions and packages (like Sensitive Rewire) are designed with your sensitivity in mind; slow, safe, and transformative

You’re Not “Too Much”.

You’re Just Tuning Into More.

Being highly sensitive doesn’t mean you’re broken. It means your system is highly responsive, beautifully attuned, and deserving of care. When you honour your sensitivity instead of resisting it, you can begin to feel deeply connected to yourself again.

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