How to Navigate Anxiety as a Highly Sensitive Person
There are some incredible benefits to being a highly sensitive person (HSP). You can experience more empathy and even greater creativity. But, there are also some common challenges that can make everyday tasks more difficult.
As an HSP, it’s easy to become overwhelmed and overstimulated by the situations around you. Unfortunately, that can lead to anxiety.
Some of the common causes of anxiety for a highly sensitive person include sudden schedule changes, long periods of social interaction, perfectionism, and too much multitasking. Anything that might make you feel overwhelmed can contribute to anxiety.
Thankfully, there are things you can do to help yourself stay calm and collected, even when things feel overwhelming. By being proactive about your anxious thoughts, you’ll have more control over them.
Find Out What Makes You Anxious
One of the best ways to navigate anxiety as an HSP is to determine what exactly makes you anxious. What are your triggers, and what can you do to avoid them or control them?
Maybe you get anxious when you’re around a lot of people for too long. If so, you’ll know to limit those kinds of interactions.
Identifying your triggers puts you in control. When you’re in the driver’s seat, you’ll feel empowered over your anxiety, and it will be less likely to take over your thoughts.
Make Some “Me” Time
HSPs tend to be people-pleasers. It’s not always easy for them to have a blank space in their schedules with nothing to do. But, investing in “me” time every day can make a big difference in how you feel.
Having some downtime each day allows you to look inward. It can help to eliminate the noise of the outside world and open you up to reflection and mindfulness. Even just a few minutes of downtime can make it easier to organize your thoughts and keep from feeling overwhelmed.
Plus, it’s a form of self-care. Use your “me” time to focus on something that benefits you. Meditate, write in a journal, or talk a walk in the park. As long as the focus remains on your inner self, this technique can help to reduce the noise of the outside world.
Learn to Say No
Anyone can experience anxiety if they’re overwhelmed by a busy schedule or high expectations. As an HSP, you might find it hard to set personal boundaries because you want to make others happy. But, it’s important to learn to say “no” if you want to fight back against anxiety.
Don’t overload your schedule or your mind with extra things. It’s okay to want to help people out, but not at the expense of your mental well-being. It’s okay to let people know when you won’t be available, or that certain times of day are off-limits. You can take things one step further by unplugging or turning off your phone, so you know you won’t be tempted to “give in” to the requests of others when you should be focusing on relaxation.
Reach Out for Help
Finally, if you’re still struggling with anxiety as a highly sensitive person, don’t hesitate to get the support you need. That starts with reaching out to friends and family members in your inner circle. Sometimes, just expressing your needs and wants to the people closest to you can make a big difference.
It’s important to understand that you’re not alone. You deserve to feel supported and valued. Open up about how you’re feeling — even if your anxiety is starting to take over. You might be surprised by the support you receive and the people willing to step in to help you find some peace and relaxation.
When you are ready, reach out to learn more about anxiety therapy.