1) Avoiding overstimulation
This might be the most obvious one but it's not always easy done. It requires us to know what overstimulates us. This can be a bit different for every HSP. In general what works to avoid overstimulation getting things done in off hours and avoiding the crowds, keeping lights low, especially at night, reducing noise by using earplugs etc. An example for mothers is reducing the time spent in playgroups. Of course our kids want to play and need to see other kids but for us HSP mothers spending time surrounded by a dozen of noisy kids can be nerve-racking.
2) Getting enough sleep
Most people need at least 7-8 hours sleep to be rested but for HSPs this can be easily more. Without enough sleep we are moody, easily aggressive and don't function very well. Getting enough sleep with a baby can be challenging. I make sleep my priority. If I had a tough night with my baby waking up multiple times I try to sleep during the day. It's actually my favourite time of the day when my son has his nap. It's down time for me and I try to nap with him. No matter if the dishes are waiting, my sleep is more important.
3) Eating and Drinking well
Hunger can be very disruptive to a HSP mood and concentration. Maintaining a steady blood sugar level with regular snacks and healthy meals is very important for us. I always carry water and a snack with me. But not only eating often is important but also eating healthy. I have to admit my husband and I are a little obsessed with healthy food. Almost all the food we buy is organic, we never eat ready-made meals, we cook every day, we reduced sugar, we try to eat a lot of vegetables, I reduced dairy as it feels better for me etc. I love to cook, I love the feeling of preparing a heathy meal for my family. I also mentioned drinking well. With that I mean avoiding some drinks that HSPs are sensitive to. Because of my pregnancy and breastfeeding I gave up caffein and alcohol and it made me calmer and more collected. Whenever I have caffein I can feel my heartbeat racing and my mind getting restless.
4) Making time for yourself
Take time just for yourself. A hobby, a warm bath, reading, a walk in the nature. This is actually the hardest for me. Since the birth of my son I felt I could not be separated from him. But his constant presence and neediness tires me out and I realised how good it is for me to spend time just for myself with the things I love. I write on my blog, I read a book, I have a walk in the forest, I do yoga. Nowadays I plan "time for myself" into my day to make sure I really take it. I do yoga in the morning and when my son has his nap I take time to meditate or write and then I sleep a bit with him.
5) Calming your mind and body
I feel my mind is constantly working. On top of that my body regularly overflows with emotions. Emotions of others, my emotions, negative and positive energy that I encounter during my day. As a HSP we take in all energy, I feel like we are a vibrating membrane that sings a tune to the energy outside of us. Sometimes I just want to think and feel nothing. In order to calm myself I do yoga and meditation. It has really helped me to have more energy and to find my truth self. These days I also practice methods of protecting me from negative energy.
6) Mindfullness
If you are a bit into yoga and meditation and I find a lot of HSPs are, mindfulness is all over the place. It's currently the popular kid on the block. Being mindful means to be really in the moment, to focus your attention on what's happening. Your body, your emotions, your actions in that particular moment. One of my strategies as a HSP to block out overstimulation was so far to daydream a lot and hardly recognise my surroundings. Now mindfulness is the opposite. That seems to contradict with my strategy to avoid overstimulation. Well it doesn't. Mindfulness has actually helped me to recognise what does me good and what does not. And it helps to focus the always wondering mind. It doesn't mean I have to take in all my surroundings but it means I focus on what I am doing at the moment. I focus on doing the dishes, on walking in the forest, I feel the fresh air, I see the change in nature etc. Having a very active kid has also forced me to be mindful. I have to be in the moment if my kid runs onto the street. Being mindful and experiences situations with my child helps me seeing the wonder of life again. It helps me appreciating the small moments: a nice cup of tea, the sun raising, a smile of the face of my neighbour etc. I recommend practising mindfulness to any HSP.
7) Getting help
In order to have some down-time and time for ourselves me need help. Help in the household, a cleaner, a nanny, grandparents. Anyone that can take the load of of us for a couple of ours. Still until this day I feel I can't leave my child with someone unknown. But sometimes
8) Plan recovering time
Overly packed schedules, crowded public transport, concerts and crowded stores are hard to deal with for HSPs. Whenever you are faced with such situations plan in time to recover. Just quiet time at home, a bath, listening to relaxing music. If I am going with my child to crowded places, I try to limit this to one activity a day and plan for some recovery time at home or in the nature. We also don't do well when we are rushed and we should allow us the time we need to complete whatever we are doing. I hate to rush out of the house in the mornings with my child. I need my time in the bathroom, time to engage with my child, time to prepare breakfast and eat it together. I try to not schedule anything early in the morning so that I know I am off calmly and to a good start to the day.
Every HSP should ideally also have a quiet space in their home to retreat. This can be a study, a cozy space in the bedroom or a candlelit bath.
9) Surround yourself with beauty and nature
Because we are deeply affected by our surroundings its important to create our space as calm and beautiful as possible. For me it's very important to not have clutter in the house. I constantly tidy up just because I need a calm environment. As a mother this translate in not having many toys. And the ones we have are beautiful wooden toys that are nicely arranged. I really like the montessori approach to arranging child spaces to keep the house tidy and calm looking.
Whenever I need to tank up on energy and calm down I have walk in nature. Rather than going to crowded playgrounds in the city I also often take my child to the forest. He can explore nature and I can enjoy its calmness and beauty.
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