Occasionally, do you question why you are so sensitive? You might be a highly sensitive person if you have strong emotions.
Sensitivity is frequently portrayed as a bad personality trait. You may have been told that you’re too sensitive or overemotional and that you need to “toughen up.” Why am I so sensitive, you might be wondering.
It’s critical to realize that sensitivity is a personality characteristic. Being “too” sensitive is not a disorder. It’s not necessarily a bad trait, just like being quiet or thoughtful isn’t always easy.
There are several possible causes of sensitivity. For instance, you might be more sensitive to certain stimuli if you have a neurodevelopmental disorder like autism or ADHD.
However, it’s possible that your sensitivity has nothing to do with any specific disorders. Someone who is highly sensitive (HSP) is someone who feels things intensely.
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7 Ways To Stop Being Sensitive?
So what kind of emotional regulation techniques might you learn in therapy? Does that imply that you can become less sensitive?
1. Mindfulness
One of the best methods for bringing you into the moment and removing you from your reactive thoughts is practicing daily mindfulness. It improves self-esteem, makes your mind calmer and clearer, and is now a cornerstone of many therapies.
2. Brain Training
We can compare our brains to a computer. Unless instructed otherwise, it enjoys repeating the same program. Feeling threatened, overreacting, or withdrawing is a pattern that typically characterizes sensitive people. Your brain needs to be trained to respond in new ways. This is accomplished by cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) using “thought charts.” Your brain eventually learns where you are mistaking assumptions for facts by recording stressful thoughts for several weeks and working them through a specific process.
3. Transfer Techniques
The goal is to become aware of when you are experiencing emotional triggers and use a planned tool of diversion to break your concentration. The best strategies are those which take you out of your head and into your body. Dialectical behavioral therapy suggests techniques like belly breathing, holding ice, and taking a few steps backward physically. Read more about this in our article “Techniques to Stop Distress”.
4. Perspective Jumping
When we have a limited perspective of “me against the world,” we frequently become sensitive and on guard. Learning how to change perspectives is a helpful life-coaching technique. Just now, consider a circumstance in which you felt especially sensitive. How would an alien perceive this if they were looking down? Who are you going to be in 80 years? What advice does the Dalai Lama have for you in such a circumstance?
5. Acceptance
The more we criticize ourselves for being oversensitive and struggle to control the circumstances we find ourselves in, the more we appear to overreact. However, a strange thing happens — we begin to relax a little — as we begin to accept our circumstances and ourselves. We suddenly feel a little less sensitive. Try the “worst-case scenario” tactic. When things seem overwhelming ask, “What is the worst that could possibly happen in this situation? Am I able to deal with and accept that?” If so, you’ll let up a bit. If not, you can choose who to enlist aid. Self-compassion is a useful tool for promoting self-acceptance. When you catch yourself criticizing or belittling yourself, pretend you were speaking to a close friend. How would you address and interact with them?
6. Daily Journalling
We’re not discussing keeping a record of what occurs to you. The idea is to set aside some time each day to write down all of your emotions. Then shred what you’ve written so that your unconscious mind feels free to express itself. The idea behind this is to let your emotions out onto the page rather than onto those around you. Daily is an important concept here. Consider it as a pot of water that is simmering on the stove. If you don’t keep the heat down, it will boil over.
7. Self Care
People who are physically sensitive also tend to be emotionally sensitive. You may feel even less in control of your emotions as a result of issues like inadequate sleep and excessive sugar intake. It’s possible that your friends could spend the entire night drinking without any problems. Does it, however, make sense to try to keep up if it leaves you an emotional wreck the next day?
Pros And Cons Of High Sensitivity
The most fascinating people are usually those who are highly sensitive. Some of their positive qualities include:
1. Feeling Things Deeply
People who are highly sensitive have lower thresholds for stimulation, making them more susceptible to stimulation. To process information and avoid being overstimulated, they require time. They have the capacity to delve deeper into topics that others might overlook.
Because of this, books and movies have a greater impact on highly sensitive individuals. While others may be like “Yeah that was a good movie”, good art transforms highly sensitive people. They are also more influenced by music and songs.
2. High Self And Other Awareness
Overly sensitive individuals are acutely conscious of both their own and other people’s feelings. They engage in a great deal of self-disclosure and show a keen interest in the thoughts of others. They can easily connect with others because of this. They are capable of feeling empathy and sympathy for others.
3. Intuitive
The result of their high levels of self and other awareness is this. They are more intuitive than the average person. They listen to and value the advice provided by their intuition. Compared to the average person, they are able to place more emphasis on intuition when making decisions.
4. Passionate
Highly sensitive individuals seek out activities that will make them feel good. Because they are emotion-driven, they may make decisions regarding their relationships, careers, and employment that other people may view as “irrational.”
Why Am I So Sensitive?
Numerous different factors could be at play. When we are going through a challenging or stressful situations, we occasionally become more emotional. Stress, trauma, and recent bereavement can all increase our emotional state.
Because it’s a characteristic of their personality, some people have a tendency to be emotionally sensitive. A person who is highly sensitive feels things deeply, whether they are good or bad. This can include their own emotions, other people’s emotions, and sensory input from their environment.