Making up approximately 15-20 percent of the population, highly sensitive people (HSPs) are individuals who are more sensitive to external and internal stimuli, such as light, noise, and negative thoughts. Here’s what to know about them and how they interact with others and their surroundings.
1. They wear sunglasses to night-time concerts.
When HSPs are in a location where there are bright, glaring lights, they’ll try to shield their eyes and might rock sunnies even though others give them strange looks. No, they’re not vampires, they’re just built with nervous systems that are more sensitive to external stimuli. Even sunlight streaming through a window or fluorescent lights in an office might be too much for them to deal with.
2. They notice details about their environment that others miss.
HSPs are highly observant. They’ll notice if someone moved a small item from their desk or if there’s a strange vibe at a dinner party. They’re intuitive and this makes them notice things in their environment that others don’t pick up on. This observational skill occurs because the HSP brain is less affected by dopamine, which increases thoughtfulness when processing stimuli.
3. They’re a walking mood ring in their relationships.
HSPs are prone to experiencing extremes in mood that can make people think they’re too sensitive or too emotional. But, they’re tuned into their emotions so much that they experience a larger spectrum of feeling intensity, for both negative and positive feelings. In addition, they tend to feel other people’s emotions, which can be draining.
4. They avoid sporting activities.
Although HSPs might be active individuals, they sometimes stay away from engaging in sports. This is because it provides too much stimulation, like in the form of physical activity that’s hard on their bodies or the loud screaming of a crowd. These stimuli can cause them to feel anxious, making the experience unpleasant. In addition, they sometimes also avoid group activities because they feel like people are watching their every move.
5. They skip the morning coffee.
When they choose a morning beverage, an HSP will usually avoid coffee because they’re sensitive to its caffeine content. Since caffeine boosts one’s heart rate and breathing rate, it stimulates the nervous system, which can feel overwhelming for an HSP. When they give up caffeine, they usually feel more calm and collected, making it easier for them to manage their emotions.
6. They shut down during conflict.
If HSPs are around conflict, like if a couple’s fighting in public, they’ll feel anxious. Since they’re overstimulated by external stimuli, the negative feelings associated with conflict can make them want to run or freeze. And, it doesn’t help that they can pick up on tiny clues that there’s tension in the air or something feels “off” with people around them. This can be overwhelming and unsettling for them to process.
7. They take longer to complete tasks.
Although people might call HSPs too mellow, or even lazy, they take their time with tasks to avoid feeling stressed or anxious. They also tend to get distracted easily because their brains are picking up on so many cues in their environment. A good example is when they’re grocery shopping. They’ll take their time to choose the right products, reading the ingredient lists and scrutinizing nutritional information while considering their feelings. They always have a lot of info to process!
8. They need alone time at the end of the day.
With constant stimulation from the world around them being thrown at them all day long, it’s normal for HSPs to unplug their devices and take time to recharge their batteries at the end of the day. If you live with them, you’ll notice how they might disappear into their bedroom and chill out for a while, without wanting to engage. It’s not that they’re antisocial, it’s just that they get drained easily.
9. They feel anxious at the start of a relationship.
Some HSPs take a long time to adapt to changes, even positive ones like an exciting new relationship. These changes are overstimulating, which can cause them to have to slow down and process their feelings or work through anxiety surrounding the transition. So, while you might experience excitement about having butterflies in your stomach when you meet someone new, an HSP will feel freaked out!
10. They skip the small talk for meaningful conversation.
At social gatherings, HSPs would rather engage in deep conversations than talk about the weather. This is because they’re empathetic and can “read” other people’s feelings easily, like by noticing their body language and tone of voice. Their need to connect on a deeper level makes them want to skip the small talk in favor of meaningful chats so they get to know the truth about someone.
11. They’re obsessed with finding the right fabric softener.
External stimuli related to touch can affect HSPs more than other people. If the clothing they’re wearing feels uncomfortable or scratchy, it’s going to be a sensory challenge that will bother them throughout the day. To prevent this situation, they’ll buy the best fabric softener they can, as long as it doesn’t have a strong fragrance as this can also be too strong for their sensitive noses!
12. They get stuck in negative thoughts.
HSPs can sometimes get caught up in their thoughts, which can make them delay making big decisions. Although this might be frustrating to deal with, it’s good to understand where they’re coming from. Accorfing to research, HSPs experience more regular and more intense negative emotions and lower self-esteem So, this can cause them to ruminate on negative thoughts much more than others.
13. They’ll notice when their friend’s upset before she says anything.
If you’re spending time with an HSP, you might feel surprised when they notice that you’re a tad anxious or stressed, especially if you’ve tried to keep your feelings hidden. They can pick up on your emotions much faster than other people because of how observant they are. In research, brain scans of people with HSP found that regions of their brain associated with social and emotional processing experience higher levels of activity, which makes them more empathetic.
14. They zone out during conversation because they’re daydreaming.
Sometimes, you might find that your HSP friend or partner looking blankly out the window when you’re talking to them. Don’t take it personally—they’re probably stuck in a vivid daydream! HSPs have a rich inner life in which they can spend lots of time. Because they take more time to process information from others and their surroundings, they’re more thoughtful and self-reflective.
15. They prefer to skip the horror movies.
If you’ve asked the HSP in your life to watch the latest slasher flick at the movies, they might’ve said they can’t go. What gives? Since HSPs are so sensitive to information around them, they don’t like exposing themselves to negative and disturbing media, like horrors, thrillers, or even tragic news on social media. It’s just too much for them and they can’t handle feeling overwhelmed by fear and anxiety.
