Strong emotivity, particularly developed intuition, hypersensitivity can be a great ally in the daily life of people showing heightened sensitivity. But it is still necessary to manage this characteristic which can also be a handicap when one chooses to ignore it. Explanations from Aurélie Baquet, sophrologist.
Hypersensitivity, what is it?
We speak of hypersensitivity when a person’s sensitivity is more amplified than the average. Reactions and emotions are stronger and the hypersensitive shows more empathy and intuition than average. The hypersensitive are also much more attentive to their senses, a noise that will be barely perceived by others will interfere with a hypersensitive in his concentration. People affected by hypersensitivity are regularly compared to sponges, they absorb many signals that surround them. The problem is that sometimes these people find themselves totally overwhelmed, especially by showing too much empathy.
This permanent over-stimulation is really trying for a hypersensitive. We often notice in them a mental fatigue, but also physical, the fault of the many emotional outbursts suffered throughout the day, and also to the fact of constantly ruminating.
However, this over-sensitivity also has advantages. People with this characteristic are often more creative, more inspired, their intuition allowing them to quickly analyze a situation. The ideal for a hypersensitive is therefore to learn to live with this heightened sensitivity, but also to learn to control it. Living well with one’s sensitivity is quite possible and many therapies offer support in this regard.
Professional environment and sensitivity
If in the private sphere a hypersensitive can choose to surround himself with people who understand him, the professional environment leaves little room for sensitivity. Hierarchy, performance, competition, work environment, are often stressorsfor most people and even more so for the hypersensitive. Certain environments do not correspond to hypersensitive, such as the open-space, for example, which is a stimulus nest that a sensitive person will find it difficult to ignore. Rather than endure the situation, it is quite possible to ask for a more favorable arrangement. And if making a request can be a stressor, the diagram of non-violent communication will be a tool in the professional environment. This mode of communication makes it possible to express oneself without emotional burdens and most often lead to a win-win result. For this, 4 steps in the discussion are necessary:
- Based on the facts: “The open space is noisy.”
- Observe yourself: “I feel stressed, not focused …”
- Express your need: “I need a quiet place.”
- Formulate the request: “Could we find me a more isolated place?”
Expressing your feelings (in the right way) also helps to avoid misunderstandings that can be the source of tension.
At work or even elsewhere, the hypersensitive will have every interest in taking real physical and emotional breaks, allowing him to refocus on himself and find his own rhythm. Particularly when the sensation of effervescence is too strong (ruminations, strong breaths, beating heart) it is essential to calm the process before losing resources and energy. To chase away tension and regain calm, breathing and sophrology exercises are particularly recommended. The cardiac coherenceis also a wonderful way to come back to oneself thanks to the breath (applications make it possible to practice cardiac coherence very easily). More simply, getting fresh air and walking is a good way to reduce and release tension.
The screens these parasites
Our digital age is also an aspect of everyday life that can be exhausting for a hypersensitive. While some people adapt very well to the presence of screens that capture our attention a lot, the hypersensitive will be much more receptive to digital stimuli and will find it difficult to ignore them. Taking moments of disconnection is more and more advisable in order to be able to offer a break to the brain and this is even more true for people with hypersensitivity. We can only advise (during the weekend for example) to take a real break without screens.
Finally, it is important to remember that well-managed hypersensitivity can be a real asset in many aspects of daily life. Noticing, accepting, and learning to manage this sensitivity by setting goals step by step, will be the ideal way to coexist with this sensitivity and many therapists can help the hypersensitive in this direction.
