4 Triggers for Highly Sensitive People

Being a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP) means that your nervous system processes information more deeply and intensely than others. Things like noise and light levels in a room, the types of clothing you wear, or the general mood of a group of people could affect you in unique ways. Similarly, highly sensitive people might feel overwhelmed if they have a busy schedule or if people watch them while they perform a task.

Busy schedules or noisy environments can be unpleasant for many people, but for the highly sensitive person (HSP), these things can be crippling. Without sufficient time to recharge, the HSP might shut down, completely unable to continue participating in simple daily events. It is helpful to know your triggers as an HSP, but there are five general triggers that most highly sensitive people face.

Triggers for Highly Sensitive People

Busy Environments

A large part of being highly sensitive is having Sensory Processing Sensitivity (SPS). Neither high sensitivity nor SPS is a disorder. Rather, they are traits that certain people have. Quite simply, it is when your brain is acutely attuned to notice and digest information.

For example, the average person might take note of how noisy a certain location is and either feel energized by that or react negatively. As an HSP, or person with SPS, you will absorb details in the room like overlapping conversations, the variety of moods in the people present, the harshness of the overhead lighting, and the humidity from all the bodies.

With time and practice, you can learn to filter out these details. You might need to avoid noisy, crowded environments like concerts, large shopping malls, and the gym during their busier hours. It takes time to learn what you can and what you cannot handle.

Physical Sensations

Being sensitive to stimuli often means that you react strongly to textiles, art, and a room’s furnishings. You might feel exasperated because of harsh overhead lighting, an abundance of busy or dramatic artwork in a living space, or certain clothing or accessories. A watchstrap that becomes sweaty in the heat, jewelry that gets tangled, or hair that sticks to your face as you drive are the little details that can be enraging to an already flustered HSP.

While you can’t control the details of every space, you can at least ensure that your personal space, be it your house or your bedroom, induces calm and relaxed feelings. It also pays to take notice of which textiles you prefer wearing or what hairstyle will annoy you the least. It might be a helpful thing to leave off the jewelry on a day when your tolerance is low.

Other People’s Emotions

A large part of the information you process as an HSP is other people’s emotions. Some HSPs become like sponges, absorbing the emotions of those around them. When a friend is navigating a breakup, you might feel emotionally raw even though it’s not your breakup. In a public place, you might absorb the plethora of emotions of the people in the space with you.

This can be a particularly burdensome aspect of being Highly Sensitive. In addition to noticing and feeling the emotions of those around you, you may also begin to feel a sense of responsibility for others because you have felt what they feel. The only emotions you are responsible for are your own, and even that requires grace and wisdom. You will not be able to cope with being an HSP without also working on your boundaries.

Violence or brutality in media or real life

In line with the previous thought, HSPs are often more deeply affected by visual media or the news cycle. You might be absorbing the emotions of fictional characters, or you might be sensing the general atmosphere at large. It’s easier to avoid movies or television shows that affect you, but at times, you are bombarded with information about the world.

You might need to get less screen time and stop yourself from doomscrolling social media, especially late at night when you feel more sensitive than at other times. Many HSPs enjoy activities like crocheting, coloring-in, and jigsaw puzzles. These are tactile, relaxing pastimes that might help calm an overstimulated nervous system.

It can be tricky to navigate certain chapters of your life when you are an HSP. Your tendency might be to constantly withdraw and keep your head in the sand concerning the world around you, but there are times when you don’t have the luxury of escape. It helps to know what your triggers are and how to deal with them when you encounter them.

If you would like to learn more about yourself and your triggers, you might want to try counseling. Sessions with a counselor are controlled, calming, and confidential. Reach out to our offices today, at your convenience, to begin your mental healthcare journey.