What is high sensitivy, or HSP?

A Highly Sensitive Person (or HSP) is someone who is considered to be more sensitive to impressions and (emotional, physical and social) stimuli, you tend to notice more signals and details in your environment. An HSP picks up all the impressions with more intensitivity and in a more extensive manner compared to the average person.

Whereas others are fine with being surrounded by masses of people and loud music, it can cost a HSP more exertion. They can literally get overstimulated as a consequence of too many stimuli.

As of now, we know that around 15-20% of the population is considered to be highly sensitive. They experience the world around them in a different and a more intense way. The two significant characteristics of high sensitivity are:

1. A HSP experiences more stimuli than a non-HSP
2. Stimuli are more deeply incorporated in the nervous system and therefore HSPs experience certain situations more intensely.

Characteristics of high sensitivity

Like any other attribute, highsensitivity also has its pros and cons. Below you find a list of examples of characteristics that we often find in highly sensitive persons.

Highly sensitive people often have a preference for…

…Silence and relaxation

…Art and beauty

…Justice and respect

…Inspiration

…Spirituality

They are also often

…Creative

…Perfectionists

…Unusually self-critically

…Concerned with the fate of others

…Fast learning students

…People that see and think about the consequences of their actions fast

However, if you do not recognize yourself in any of the characteristics in the list above, this does not necessarily mean that you are not a highly sensitive person. Do you suspect that you are a highly sensitive person and are seeking advice? Please read more on the HSP coaching page.

The traits and symptoms of high sensitivity

A lot of highly sensitive people (HSP) struggle with their emotions. This is because many HSP do not control their sensitivity (yet).

• Are sound, light and emotions often too much for you to handle?
• Are you often overstimulated?
• Are you bothered by the energy of people in your environment?

In that case, it is highly possible that you are highly sensitive but have not found the right way to put your trait to value. If however, you know how to cope with this trait, you will not only be relieved from the suffering of this but you will also be able to put this trait into significant value!

Coping with high sensitivity

The answer to the question ‘How do I cope with high sensitivity?’ lies within the process of getting to know yourself. The better you know your behavior; patterns; preferences; and your pitfalls, the better you will know how to respond.

This form of self development can be approached in different ways. You could start by immersing yourself into the subject of ‘High sensitivity’ by reading books about it. Is this too abstract for you and would you rather start with the practical side of it? Then please look at the online training about high sensitivity, where you can often directly practice with personal situations and you will learn about the subject in a more active manner. Do you want to work specifically on your personal matters? Then HSP coaching would be a good option to choose. With a personal coaching program you can very specifically work with personal situations, and you will be sure of getting the full attention from your coach which will give specific feedback on your behavior.

HSP coaching | What is high sensitivity to you?

Are you curious about what HSP coaching could potentially mean to you?

A personal HSP coaching program can be interesting when you want to deepen yourself more into the subject than the HSP online training, and when you would like to receive personal feedback on the steps you have taken so far. With HSP coaching you will be allowed to ask any question with which you are struggling.

HSP and work | What is high sensitivity at work?

It is also possible that you, being a highly sensitive person, have your sensitivity well under control and in private situations, but you do encounter issues in your working environment.

Coaching or training would then also be a great approach to cope with this. Do you have a specific question about high sensitivity and work? Or would you like to get your coaching program to be compensated by your employer? Please get in touch with us so we can see what the options are for you.

Additional information

The above information is just a small introduction to what high sensitivity actually means. Do you want more information or are you interested in a HSP coaching program? Please plan a introductory call, without any further obligation, at a time that suits you.