It’s wonderful that the term ‘HSP’ or ‘high sensitivity’ is now recognised, that so much more attention is being paid to it, and that we know more about it.
I’ve struggled a lot with my high sensitivity myself, and I used to always wonder why I was so different. I really couldn’t cope with the world at all. And I tick all the boxes on every list you see online these days about HSPs. It’s a relief that I now understand what was going on with me. Ultimately, I’ve created a life for myself in which I can function well.
Even better, I’ve also been able to develop something that helps me, my youngest son and other highly sensitive adults and children: the Groene Linde HSP range! You can read all about the special scents in our in-depth blog.
Research
As far as I am aware, researcher Elaine Aron was the first to describe HSP. She devised a test to identify this high sensitivity (HS). The characteristics of HSP have been summarised, making it easy to recognise and acknowledge HSP. HS is caused by a more sensitive nervous system. People are born this way, and parents often notice it in their children at a young age. HS manifests itself as heightened sensitivity to sights, smells, sounds and touch.
A summary of some characteristics of HSP
- Gets startled easily and doesn’t like surprises
- Difficulty falling asleep after an exciting day
- Major changes are difficult to come to terms with
- He does seem to be able to read minds from time to time
- They are very attuned to their surroundings
- Intuitively knowing what’s going on
- Being able to make others laugh
- Asking questions that prompt deep reflection
- Quick to pick up on other people’s emotions
- Do they notice changes in their surroundings quickly?
Notable physical characteristics of HSP
- Change your clothes straight away if they are wet or sandy
- Complaints about itchy clothes
- Quickly detect faint odours
- Prefer a quiet space
- Feel uncomfortable in a noisy room
- They are quite sensitive to pain
- Are very good at focusing on a subject
- Ask a lot of questions
- Children have a large vocabulary
- May come across as perfectionist
- Like to think things through before making a decision
- They do their best work in a familiar environment
- They respond better to gentle reminders than to harsh punishment
Exhausted and out of balance
High sensitivity can really throw someone off balance. At school or at work, there are lots of stimuli to take in. A lot is demanded of you throughout the day – working with colleagues, managing a department, the countless questions and phone calls from customers, you name it. By the end of the day, you’re completely out of balance and utterly exhausted. After work, it’s straight back to it: sorting out dinner whilst your children – who are probably highly sensitive too – bounce around you like rubber balls. That brief moment you need to just catch your breath seems to be nowhere in sight.
HS individuals can become exhausted by a succession of stimuli or a sudden, intense stimulus. They become overstimulated and, as a result, find it harder to function. This can manifest in various ways; they may withdraw and become quiet, or, conversely, become very hyperactive. Children may suddenly burst into tantrums and displays of anger. However, being tearful and listless are also signs. The most recognisable symptoms, though, are undoubtedly concentration difficulties and poor or restless sleep.
What about children?
Fifteen to twenty per cent of children are affected by this. Children discover new things every day and at school they are exposed to a great many stimuli that they have to process. At home, too, there are many external stimuli, such as computer games with bright colours, rapid movements and loud noises. All of this can cause children to start displaying ‘difficult’ behaviour. Many children are hyperactive and are labelled with ADHD or a similar diagnosis. This is very upsetting for the child, as it puts even more pressure on them.
All these external factors can cause children to sleep restlessly because they have so much to process. Many children find life difficult; the pressure at school is too high, and on top of that there are all the activities they have to do after school. Highly sensitive children are particularly vulnerable to these stimuli, and everything affects them more intensely.
Make the most of it
Once you realise that you are an HS, you can turn what you initially saw as a problem around and turn it into something positive. Discover your strengths and put them to use in your personal life or in your career. It is a natural talent that you can develop and put to good use!
HS children are very aware of their surroundings; they ask questions and therefore have a wealth of knowledge. This all-round development is always useful. So you can nurture these inquisitive little children; they are filling their ‘knowledge chest’, which will be of great benefit to them later in life. And on a social and emotional level, an HS child develops more quickly. They are good at empathising with others and are aware of cause and effect.
By doing various exercises, you’ll gain a better understanding of the positive aspects of HS and how you can support yourself or your child using the various products from De Groene Linde.
Here you’ll find the products from our HSP range.
With fragrant regards,
𝙼𝚊𝚛𝚒𝚊𝚗𝚗𝚎 𝙻𝚎𝚎𝚞𝚠𝚛𝚒𝚔
Related articles
Koshi, discover the magic of sound and nature
A gentle breeze, the sound of rippling water or the rustling of leaves. Sound can have a special effect on you. It can take you out of your head and draw your attention...
Read more
Working with Koshi’s, the magic of sound and the four elements
Perhaps you’ve experienced that moment when someone plays a Koshi. During a yoga class or some other relaxing moment. The first notes sound clear and soft, and then seem to….
Read more
Himalayan salt and Epsom salt: all the things you can do with them
On our website, you can find two different types of salt. What’s the difference between them, and what can you use them for? In this blog post, I’ll take you through...
Read more