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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 [...]

If you have felt out of sorts lately, it may have to do with your self-esteem. Factors such as bullying, abuse, trauma, negative self-talk, neglect, or prejudice can contribute to low self-esteem. Building self-esteem is critical for your emotional and mental well-being. Why Building Self-Esteem is Critical Although several factors can lead to low self-esteem, knowing who you are and how valuable you are to yourself, your loved ones, your community, and God is the basis of a healthy mental state. When you value yourself and perceive your worth, you build emotional resilience and do not feel as pressured by societal ideals. If your self-esteem is low, then you might: Compromise on your values. Stay in a toxic relationship. Compare yourself to others. Make rash decisions or struggle to make commitments. Never take risks. Struggle with body image, depression, and anxiety. Struggle to achieve goals. Let yourself go, including personal hygiene and health. Building self-esteem will positively affect your physical, emotional, and mental health. As you realize that you were made in the image and likeness of God, the belief that you are a co-heir to Christ’s kingdom and a son or daughter of the King, your confidence will soar. What if low self-esteem were no longer a barrier, and you knew in your heart that opportunities were available to you and doors were open that no man could shut if it were God’s will? Start by building self-esteem and shifting your mindset and beliefs. Ideas for Building Self-Esteem Building self-esteem takes practice. You may need to replace negative self-talk with positive affirmations, mantras, and beliefs. You will need to challenge your own thoughts and limiting beliefs. Your behavior will need to change to reflect confidence by adopting new actions. Although not mentioned in the list below, reading and [...]

Emotions are a big part of how you experience your life. They shape the way you see the world, make decisions, and react to the ups and downs of life. But what can happen is that emotions take charge and trick you into thinking things that aren’t true. If you let them, they can twist your thoughts, making situations seem worse than they are. This is called distorted thinking, and it probably happens to you more than you’d think. Distorted emotions are like a filter, and through it, everything seems darker and more difficult than it really is. You can have a small argument with a friend, and then an emotional response will make you think, “They don’t care about me,” even when there’s no proof. These kinds of thoughts feel real at the moment, but they’re not the truth; they’re just emotions blurring reality. With some awareness of how your brain may conjure up this wrong way of thinking, it’s possible to spot these patterns, and then you can change them. Why do you have emotions? Emotions come from a part of your brain called the amygdala. It’s the one that helps you respond to things around you. These emotional responses are part of what keeps you safe and balanced. The amygdala normally processes feelings like fear and anger, where chemicals such as dopamine and serotonin create sensations of either happiness or sadness. These emotions are the brain’s way of helping us respond quickly to the world around us. This is the way your brain knows, for example, that fear signals danger, and joy means something good is around. Through it all, the brain is supposed to remain in charge of your thoughts by rationalizing and balancing your reactions with what is real. Everyone experiences emotional highs and [...]