HSP and attatchmentstyles, males/females

In terms of your appraisal on tour gut instinct then I would concur. Mostly cerebral. But fear and excitement I also notice a sensation in the torso. Though for me they are felt higher up. In the heart region. Mostly the release of adrenaline. a burning sensation in the chest.

Right now….I feel all my feelings and my empty/full triggers in my throat.  My somatic experiencing therapist and I believe this may be the root of why I have hashimotos disease.  We have also determined that this was likely due to having to suppress my voice as a child.  It literally feels like I have a ball in my throat most of the time.  When I feel anger or embarrassment….I feel like I am being choked.  She and I are working on opening the path from the esophagus to the gut.  When I lie in my bath…I try to picture a red ball in my esophagus and move it down to my gut.  We are still exploring why my gut feels numb.

I also love Yoga Nidra meditations for sleep. The Stillpoint has a great one.

Trailrunning

youtu.be/3_ApMII8vPU - trailrunning for beginners

Here are 9 reasons why trail running is perfect for HSPs:

1. IT DOESN’T HAVE TO BE ABOUT SPEED
Probably the biggest reason that trail running is perfect for HSPs is because of one huge factor: it doesn’t have to be centered around actually running.
Seriously? You’re probably thinking. Yep – believe it or not, I’m here to tell you that lots of my time spent trail running hasn’t actually been running at all!
If you spectate a trail race, you’ll notice that the majority of runners you see will have been walking – yes, walking! – for at least some of the race. They have big smiles on their faces, and are tired, but coming into aid stations (tents set up at regular intervals along a course with volunteers handing out food and drinks) ready to pause, sit down, chat for a bit, and eat some snacks before carrying on.
Sure, lots of folks run most of the time, but that’s not the point – or, it’s not the only point. There’s so much more to this wonderful activity than how fast you can split a mile.

2. THE COMMUNITY IS EXTREMELY SUPPORTIVE AND KIND
Building off the point above, from the last place finisher to the world champion, the trail running community is extremely non-judgmental, supportive, and kind to anyone who wants to participate. I believe this comes from a shared sense of struggle – everyone who chooses to trail run is exerting some kind of effort, whether it be physical or mental, and that bonds us all together.
I’ve met some incredible people on trails, during a race or on a training run, and frequently marvel at how inclusive the sport strives to be – it’s definitely a deep part of the culture!
It’s common to find trail running clubs that wait for every member, no matter what your pace might be. I think this is a beautiful example of the community feeling that trail running is steeped in.

3. IT’S A SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCE
There’s nothing like the feeling of connectedness to the Universe that I get while I’m on a trail run. Obviously some runs are more “cosmic” than others, but I can still call almost perfectly to memory the times when I’ve actually been brought to tears on a run by the strength of a feeling of unity and oneness with all creation.
Once, I was running just inland from the central coastline of California across lush, rolling green hills with sweeping views that went on for miles. It looked like it might rain, but the temperature that day was warm. A cold breeze suddenly blew in, bringing with it a downpour. I laughed with joy and a little exhilaration as I kept moving, feeling the cold rain tapping on the outside of my jacket as the wind pushed me slightly from side to side.
I was suddenly overwhelmed by a feeling of basic human-ness, like someone had just reminded me that I was, at my core, an animal; a part of the natural world, just like the grass and birds and insects around me. All the things that had been bothering me and replaying in my mind about work, responsibilities, stress, and life just…melted away. None of it really mattered. And as I looked up into the sky, a rainbow had emerged directly in front of me. It was truly one of those moments where you believe that everything is meant to be – just the way it is.

4. CONNECTION TO NATURE IS POWERFUL FOR HSPS
HSPs tend to feel a deep connection with nature. While on the trail, I find myself regularly gazing around, in utter bliss, just taking in the scenery of whatever natural space I find myself in.
If it’s snowy, I marvel at the way the snowflakes glitter in the light, or how the snow crunches under my shoes as I pass over it. If it’s hot, I soak up the warmth of the sun and appreciate the energy it radiates down to the Earth.
I love running in rain, too – while warm inside a raincoat, it’s such a good feeling to have water sprinkling down all around you, nourishing everything, calming fires (inner and outer). The quiet patter that surrounds you is rejuvenating and comforting as you move along a rainy trail.

5. TRAIL RUNNING PRESENTS AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE MINDFUL
Breathing is an automatic function that we don’t have to control or think about doing – it just happens. And when you’re running, your breath becomes your constant companion. You’re simply breathing, in and out, in and out, like ocean waves, or a breeze blowing through trees.
It’s the ultimate connection to what is – your breath is simply there. It’s a constant reminder of your connection to what’s all around you, as you literally breathe in the air from your surroundings. And in return, it’s giving you the gift of movement, of running.

6. TRAIL RUNNING HELPS PUT THINGS IN PERSPECTIVE
HSPs tend to feel deeply and experience a wide range of emotions on a daily basis. For me, the microcosm of a trail run reminds me that all emotion and sensation is natural, normal, and simply a part of life – it contextualizes my daily experiences and gives me perspective that’s hard to find while sitting at home, where I can tend to ruminate.
Some of the most meaningful moments in my life have been while trail running. I’ve persisted through pain and struggle, felt deeply calm and connected, laughed with others running alongside me, and stood alone in awe of nature in all its glory. It’s only natural that the perspective I gain after a trail run helps me to put aside that intrusive worry or a persistent thought.

7. TRAIL RUNNING HELPS WITH SELF-REGULATION
Self-regulation is how we consciously choose to help our nervous system return to its baseline – not overstimulated or understimulated, but right in the middle – calm, centered, and at peace.
Trail running can help us whether we are under- or over-stimulated – it all depends on what you choose to make of your run.
If it’s one of those days where my brain is on overdrive (i.e. I’m overstimulated), I’ll start the run listening to music or a favorite podcast to help my brain calm down by transporting myself elsewhere. Once I’m further along the trail, I often find myself turning off my music to just simply “be.” There is something so simple about moving through the woods or a field, or along a stream, or by a lake…and you’re just there, allowing your nervous system to regulate itself.
By contrast, if you’re feeling understimulated (lethargic and unmotivated), gently moving along a trail can also be the perfect way to restart your inertia. I frequently remind myself that motivation isn’t the precursor to action – it is instead the result of starting to move. I always – always – feel more motivated to take on the rest of my day if I’ve given myself the gift of time outside on the trail.

8. IT CAN FEEL THERAPEUTIC
Trail running can feel extremely therapeutic in the truest sense of the word, meaning “healing.” I frequently find myself working through issues I’m having while on a trail run, as it’s a perfect opportunity to let that deep processing happen. Also, if you have friends who trail run, sharing some miles together can be a rejuvenating way to connect with someone.
That’s not to say that trail running is a substitute for therapy (nothing is)! But, used in conjunction with the other ways we care for our mental wellbeing, there is a kind of magic inherent in spending time in nature, allowing it to surround you as you notice all your different thoughts flowing in and out. There is an aspect of simply allowing things to move through you while you move your body through nature that feels deeply healing.

9. IT IS WHAT YOU MAKE OF IT
I like to say that “if you ran, it was a run,” meaning that even if I took two steps running and the rest hiking or walking, it counts as a run. But the point of trail running really isn’t to run – it’s to be on the trails!
That’s not to say lots of folks don’t train hard and complete some incredible runs. However, it is a sport that really is what you make of it. Trail running has a huge range of participation – from professional trail athletes and ultramarathoners (runners who complete any distance longer than a marathon), to casual folks who go out for a jog on a dirt path in their local park.
But one thing’s for sure: those who run on trails have one thing in common – they appreciate the inherent magic of trail running, which is given freely to anyone who decides they’d like to discover it.

A hsp coach

Multitasking vs singletasking:

Along with multitasking, I’ve also adopted this habit of assuming I can accomplish more in one day than is actually humanly possible. Each morning, I’d start my day with the highest of hopes. I’d write out an ambitious to-do list on a fresh sheet of paper and feel confident in my ability to tackle it all.

Then, by 4 p.m., most days, I’d start to feel anxious because I’d only have 3 of the 10 items crossed off.

This happened like clockwork. I’d start my day with a massive to-do list and tell myself, ‘Today’s gonna be great! I’m going to get everything done.’ Only to end the day feeling disappointed because I hadn’t accomplished what I’d set out to do.

The day I caught myself juggling four things at once wasn’t the first time I noticed I was spreading myself way too thin, but it was the first time I realized how much it was holding me back. I felt like I was making slow progress in a million directions rather than making meaningful progress in one direction. I was fed up.

Single-tasking is a sigh of relief for highly sensitive people
I wrote “ONE THING AT A TIME” on that slip of paper, not realizing it was about to become my new mantra. It’s simple and it’s been a total game-changer for me. Doing one thing at a time can also be called monotasking or single-tasking.

Single-tasking is a breath of fresh air for a highly sensitive person and I’ll tell you why. Highly sensitive people take in more stimuli than non-HSPs. We’re constantly processing information on a deep level. As a result, our minds are moving a lot. If you’re an HSP, you understand how overwhelming this can feel at times!

‘Is she mad at me? Her email was a little bit short to me.’

‘Why is it so cold in this room? I can’t even concentrate! The AC unit is so loud, too…’

As it is, highly sensitive people have brains and nervous systems that are taking in a lot. Without being consciously aware of it, our bodies and minds are always multitasking and focusing on so many different things at once. This is why, when we consciously try to multitask, we can begin feeling pretty overwhelmed because we’re already doing so much beneath the surface.

A lot of highly sensitive people tell me they struggle with feeling “grounded” and centered. They feel like they’re stuck in their heads a lot; they have tons of ideas, feel spiritually connected, but they also struggle to see things through to completion. They, like me, have mile-long to-do lists that they never seem to see the end of.

Signs that you need to Ground yourself:

- you struggle to focus on one task at a time. Youre always multitasking
- you feel anxious and like your mind is going a mile a minute
- you keep making mistakes because your mind is going too fast
- you feel,paralyzed by what step to take next because you cant think clearly
- you have a lot of partially finished projects
- you feel frustraited by your lack of integration and clarity

This is where single-tasking comes into play. When we shift our focus to simply doing one thing at a time and fully finishing that task before moving onto the next, we simplify things for ourselves. It helps our brains relax a bit because we aren’t shifting between different tasks; we simply are where we’re at, doing one thing at a time.

*Sigh* Doesn’t that sound nice?

It is nice. If you feel like you run around like a chicken with its head cut off five out of seven days of the week, like I was, I highly suggest giving it a shot. Actually, check out this list of signs you’re ungrounded, too. If any of these resonate for you, there’s a good chance single-tasking may be a big help for you.

Cutting down your to-do list is also key for inner peace
The people who habitually multitask tend to be those with the biggest to-do lists as well. This type of person is just trying to maximize their day and fit in as much as they possibly can. However, by overwhelming ourselves with massive to-do lists and then multitasking our way through them, we’re not using our energy efficiently.

I like the analogy of “an inch deep and a mile wide”. That’s how I felt when I was always multitasking — I was getting a tiny bit of progress in many directions, rather than meaningful progress in one direction. After accumulating many half-finished projects and disappointing to-do lists, I realized I’d much rather have meaningful progress in one direction. I’d rather see something to completion, remove it from my brain, and then move onto the next thing.

So, here’s how I’ve changed it up for myself. Instead of writing down 16 things on my to-do list for a single day, I now determine what my three most important, needle-moving tasks are for the day ahead. That’s right… three! I’ve cut my to-do lists down to 20% of the size they used to be. And I get more done in a week.

Then, I tackle those three to-dos, one by one. I don’t start on the other task until the one before it has been completed. It’s as simple as that.

Do I get antsy while doing this? Does it get boring? Sure, sometimes. Sometimes I unconsciously pick up my phone and refresh my Instagram feed for the fifth time in an hour. And then I catch myself and I tell myself this: “One thing at a time. I’m supposed to be where I’m at.” I get back to the task at hand and I feel really good when I finish it because I know I’ve followed through on my goal.

I also want to note that I’m a person who deeply dislikes rigid structure. I don’t do well with time-blocking and I like to work with my creative flow (i.e. writing comes most naturally to me in the morning, so that’s when I like to do it).

However, single-tasking actually allows you to have more flow and freedom in your day because you’re simplifying things in your mind. Once you’ve completed a task, you’re freeing up space in your mind. It’s no longer cloudy, heavily weighing over you, begging to be completed. It’s done, checked off, and you’re calmly ready to move on.

Another note for the creatives reading this. Sometimes inspiration hits and that’s why we flit from the task at hand. ‘I just got the best idea for a graphic and I need to create it right now!’ (this is me, all the time). I love going with creative urges! I think they’re divine downloads from God if I’m being honest.

So, if you want to fulfill your creative insights and be a diligent single-tasker, keep a Google Doc of your creative ideas, or a notebook next to you. Any time a creative idea hits, write it out, sketch it… do whatever you need to do to hold onto the idea. Then, see the task at hand to completion before you start the creative project.

It’s funny. I never thought something as “boring” sounding as single-tasking could actually bring so much more ease, clarity, and flow into my life. But, it has. And it’s something I want to share with other highly sensitive people who are craving to feel this way, too.

m
My sensitivity was definitely weaponized by the narcissist I was involved with. In fact, I had my mother over for lunch and got made fun of by both of them, and when I pushed back and told them I was uncomfortable guess what I got from both barrels? You're too sensitive, Introvert! So difficult! So it makes a lot of sense to me how I fell into that trap, it was familiar to me. A huge part of how you have helped me here anne12 is educating me and helping me come out of shame and out of pathologizing my HSP traits. What an eye opener. It makes sense more and more.
I am going to tell my boyfriend today how much I appreciate his sensitivity to my sensitivity!

What are environmental sensitivities examples?

Sensitivity reactions can be triggered by:

scented products, cleaning products, laundry detergents, paints, petrochemicals, cigarette smoke, pesticides, pets, plants, fuels, electromagnetic radiation, moulds, foods, makeup and other beauty products.”