Directions

Ingredients

Pod Wisdom: What Parents Should Know About Highly Sensitive People (HSPs)

What is a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP) or Highly Sensitive Child (HSC)?

Jenny on episode 2: "I work with a lot of people who would identify as highly sensitive, which is actually a legitimate research classification, that some people are more sensitive and that they are receiving more sensory information in lots of different ways all the time. . . .

Only about 20% of the population has this sensitivity, and I don't think it's better or worse, it's just different. It's a different way of receiving and processing, we just tend to process a little more intensely, a little more deeply.

a trajectory for a lot of us is just a lot of anxiety, a lot of over-identifying, when we feel something, we assume it's ours."

An HSP or HSC is attuned to subtleties in tone, body language, and environment—this sounds a lot like a superpower, but it also means that this person can get overwhelmed by intense, complex, or chaotic situations.  

Elaine Aron, PhD describes HSPs/HSCs with the acronym DOES:      

  • Depth of Processing: They’re deep thinkers that notice more and can make more connections—it can help them be more creative and thorough in their projects.
  • Overstimulation: They’re more easily stressed by chaos, deadlines, noise, or working in groups, but some HSPs are sensation seekers who will yoyo between looking for excitement and recovering from it.
  • Emotional Reactivity/Empathy: Their emotions (positive and negative) present strongly, and they are very empathetic.
  • Sensitivity to Subtle Stimuli: They are sensitive to subtleties in their environment and can perceive more in what they see, hear, feel, smell, and taste.

It’s normal!

According to Dr. Aron, about 20% of the global population is made up of Highly Sensitive People, and there are over a hundred other species, including cats, dogs, and primates, that display these traits as well! If you’re wondering why you’ve never heard of it, Dr. Aron coined the term in 1996 and it's only entered the research literature in the last 15 years.

Are you an HSP? Take Dr. Aron's self test here.

Is your child an HSC? Take Dr. Aron's parent-report test here.

What does this mean for parents who are HSPs?

In family, work, school, or community contexts that don’t value sensitivity, it’s easy for HSPs/HSCs to feel abnormal or a lack of belonging. If you sense that you, your partner, or your child is an HSP, consider the following steps:

  • Reflect on your family’s attitude towards emotions and emotional expression. Is it acceptable to feel big emotions? Are big emotions safe to express?  Is everyone allowed to have time to withdraw and recharge?
  • Allow yourself or your child space and time when new things come up (a new school year, a move, a vacation, a new sport). HSPs/HSCs want to and can do all the new things that come up in life; they just need more time and space to process and express big emotions that come up around new changes.
  • Use gentle, positive approaches for feedback and guidance. HSPs/HSCs are usually very aware of when they mess up. A firm but nurturing approach often gets the best results.

Pod Wisdom: What Parents Should Know About Highly Sensitive People (HSPs)

Close
Theme icon

Podcast /

Content /

Flourish

Pod Wisdom: What Parents Should Know About Highly Sensitive People (HSPs)

Understanding if you, your partner, or your child is a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP) or Highly Sensitive Child (HSC) can help deepen your connections and help your whole family thrive.

Join The Family Thrive community and download the mobile app, all for free!

JOIN TODAY

Key takeaways

1

2

3

Low hassle, high nutrition

Fierce Food: Easy

Fierce Food: Easy

50/50 mixes of powerful veggies and starchy favorites

Fierce Food: Balance

Fierce Food: Balance

Maximize nutrients, minimize sugar and starch

Fierce Food: Power

Fierce Food: Power

Ingredients

Kitchen Equipment

Ingredient Replacement

View replacement list (PDF)

Reading time:

3 minutes

What is a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP) or Highly Sensitive Child (HSC)?

Jenny on episode 2: "I work with a lot of people who would identify as highly sensitive, which is actually a legitimate research classification, that some people are more sensitive and that they are receiving more sensory information in lots of different ways all the time. . . .

Only about 20% of the population has this sensitivity, and I don't think it's better or worse, it's just different. It's a different way of receiving and processing, we just tend to process a little more intensely, a little more deeply.

a trajectory for a lot of us is just a lot of anxiety, a lot of over-identifying, when we feel something, we assume it's ours."

An HSP or HSC is attuned to subtleties in tone, body language, and environment—this sounds a lot like a superpower, but it also means that this person can get overwhelmed by intense, complex, or chaotic situations.  

Elaine Aron, PhD describes HSPs/HSCs with the acronym DOES:      

  • Depth of Processing: They’re deep thinkers that notice more and can make more connections—it can help them be more creative and thorough in their projects.
  • Overstimulation: They’re more easily stressed by chaos, deadlines, noise, or working in groups, but some HSPs are sensation seekers who will yoyo between looking for excitement and recovering from it.
  • Emotional Reactivity/Empathy: Their emotions (positive and negative) present strongly, and they are very empathetic.
  • Sensitivity to Subtle Stimuli: They are sensitive to subtleties in their environment and can perceive more in what they see, hear, feel, smell, and taste.

It’s normal!

According to Dr. Aron, about 20% of the global population is made up of Highly Sensitive People, and there are over a hundred other species, including cats, dogs, and primates, that display these traits as well! If you’re wondering why you’ve never heard of it, Dr. Aron coined the term in 1996 and it's only entered the research literature in the last 15 years.

Are you an HSP? Take Dr. Aron's self test here.

Is your child an HSC? Take Dr. Aron's parent-report test here.

What does this mean for parents who are HSPs?

In family, work, school, or community contexts that don’t value sensitivity, it’s easy for HSPs/HSCs to feel abnormal or a lack of belonging. If you sense that you, your partner, or your child is an HSP, consider the following steps:

  • Reflect on your family’s attitude towards emotions and emotional expression. Is it acceptable to feel big emotions? Are big emotions safe to express?  Is everyone allowed to have time to withdraw and recharge?
  • Allow yourself or your child space and time when new things come up (a new school year, a move, a vacation, a new sport). HSPs/HSCs want to and can do all the new things that come up in life; they just need more time and space to process and express big emotions that come up around new changes.
  • Use gentle, positive approaches for feedback and guidance. HSPs/HSCs are usually very aware of when they mess up. A firm but nurturing approach often gets the best results.

What is a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP) or Highly Sensitive Child (HSC)?

Jenny on episode 2: "I work with a lot of people who would identify as highly sensitive, which is actually a legitimate research classification, that some people are more sensitive and that they are receiving more sensory information in lots of different ways all the time. . . .

Only about 20% of the population has this sensitivity, and I don't think it's better or worse, it's just different. It's a different way of receiving and processing, we just tend to process a little more intensely, a little more deeply.

a trajectory for a lot of us is just a lot of anxiety, a lot of over-identifying, when we feel something, we assume it's ours."

An HSP or HSC is attuned to subtleties in tone, body language, and environment—this sounds a lot like a superpower, but it also means that this person can get overwhelmed by intense, complex, or chaotic situations.  

Elaine Aron, PhD describes HSPs/HSCs with the acronym DOES:      

  • Depth of Processing: They’re deep thinkers that notice more and can make more connections—it can help them be more creative and thorough in their projects.
  • Overstimulation: They’re more easily stressed by chaos, deadlines, noise, or working in groups, but some HSPs are sensation seekers who will yoyo between looking for excitement and recovering from it.
  • Emotional Reactivity/Empathy: Their emotions (positive and negative) present strongly, and they are very empathetic.
  • Sensitivity to Subtle Stimuli: They are sensitive to subtleties in their environment and can perceive more in what they see, hear, feel, smell, and taste.

It’s normal!

According to Dr. Aron, about 20% of the global population is made up of Highly Sensitive People, and there are over a hundred other species, including cats, dogs, and primates, that display these traits as well! If you’re wondering why you’ve never heard of it, Dr. Aron coined the term in 1996 and it's only entered the research literature in the last 15 years.

Are you an HSP? Take Dr. Aron's self test here.

Is your child an HSC? Take Dr. Aron's parent-report test here.

What does this mean for parents who are HSPs?

In family, work, school, or community contexts that don’t value sensitivity, it’s easy for HSPs/HSCs to feel abnormal or a lack of belonging. If you sense that you, your partner, or your child is an HSP, consider the following steps:

  • Reflect on your family’s attitude towards emotions and emotional expression. Is it acceptable to feel big emotions? Are big emotions safe to express?  Is everyone allowed to have time to withdraw and recharge?
  • Allow yourself or your child space and time when new things come up (a new school year, a move, a vacation, a new sport). HSPs/HSCs want to and can do all the new things that come up in life; they just need more time and space to process and express big emotions that come up around new changes.
  • Use gentle, positive approaches for feedback and guidance. HSPs/HSCs are usually very aware of when they mess up. A firm but nurturing approach often gets the best results.

What is a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP) or Highly Sensitive Child (HSC)?

Jenny on episode 2: "I work with a lot of people who would identify as highly sensitive, which is actually a legitimate research classification, that some people are more sensitive and that they are receiving more sensory information in lots of different ways all the time. . . .

Only about 20% of the population has this sensitivity, and I don't think it's better or worse, it's just different. It's a different way of receiving and processing, we just tend to process a little more intensely, a little more deeply.

a trajectory for a lot of us is just a lot of anxiety, a lot of over-identifying, when we feel something, we assume it's ours."

An HSP or HSC is attuned to subtleties in tone, body language, and environment—this sounds a lot like a superpower, but it also means that this person can get overwhelmed by intense, complex, or chaotic situations.  

Elaine Aron, PhD describes HSPs/HSCs with the acronym DOES:      

  • Depth of Processing: They’re deep thinkers that notice more and can make more connections—it can help them be more creative and thorough in their projects.
  • Overstimulation: They’re more easily stressed by chaos, deadlines, noise, or working in groups, but some HSPs are sensation seekers who will yoyo between looking for excitement and recovering from it.
  • Emotional Reactivity/Empathy: Their emotions (positive and negative) present strongly, and they are very empathetic.
  • Sensitivity to Subtle Stimuli: They are sensitive to subtleties in their environment and can perceive more in what they see, hear, feel, smell, and taste.

It’s normal!

According to Dr. Aron, about 20% of the global population is made up of Highly Sensitive People, and there are over a hundred other species, including cats, dogs, and primates, that display these traits as well! If you’re wondering why you’ve never heard of it, Dr. Aron coined the term in 1996 and it's only entered the research literature in the last 15 years.

Are you an HSP? Take Dr. Aron's self test here.

Is your child an HSC? Take Dr. Aron's parent-report test here.

What does this mean for parents who are HSPs?

In family, work, school, or community contexts that don’t value sensitivity, it’s easy for HSPs/HSCs to feel abnormal or a lack of belonging. If you sense that you, your partner, or your child is an HSP, consider the following steps:

  • Reflect on your family’s attitude towards emotions and emotional expression. Is it acceptable to feel big emotions? Are big emotions safe to express?  Is everyone allowed to have time to withdraw and recharge?
  • Allow yourself or your child space and time when new things come up (a new school year, a move, a vacation, a new sport). HSPs/HSCs want to and can do all the new things that come up in life; they just need more time and space to process and express big emotions that come up around new changes.
  • Use gentle, positive approaches for feedback and guidance. HSPs/HSCs are usually very aware of when they mess up. A firm but nurturing approach often gets the best results.

Enjoying this? Subscribe to The Family Thrive for more healthy recipes, video classes, and more.

Discover Nourish

See more
Pod Wisdom: What Parents Should Know About Highly Sensitive People (HSPs)

Podcast

Condimentum eu tortor bibendum.

By

Jackie Kovic

Pod Wisdom: What Parents Should Know About Highly Sensitive People (HSPs)

Podcast

Condimentum eu tortor bibendum.

By

Jackie Kovic

Podcast

Condimentum eu tortor bibendum.

By

Jackie Kovic

Pumpkin Protein Smoothie

Podcast

Pumpkin Protein Smoothie

By

Chef Andrew Johnson

Delicata Squash Tacos

Podcast

Delicata Squash Tacos

By

Chef Andrew Johnson

Lemon Zucchini Bread

Podcast

Lemon Zucchini Bread

By

Chef Andrew Johnson

Thai-Style Curried Pumpkin Soup

Podcast

Thai-Style Curried Pumpkin Soup

By

Chef Andrew Johnson

Podcast Ep. 21: Thriving Through the Teen Years with Jena Curtis, EdD, and Vanessa Baker, Parent-Teen Relationship Coach

Podcast

Podcast Ep. 21: Thriving Through the Teen Years with Jena Curtis, EdD, and Vanessa Baker, Parent-Teen Relationship Coach

By

The Family Thrive Podcast

Parenting Is the Spiritual Practice the World Needs Right Now

Podcast

Parenting Is the Spiritual Practice the World Needs Right Now

By

Justin Wilford, PhD

New Research: One science-backed trick for parents to build stronger muscles

Podcast

New Research: One science-backed trick for parents to build stronger muscles

By

The Family Thrive Expert Team

New Research: Parent intimacy may reduce adolescent depression

Podcast

New Research: Parent intimacy may reduce adolescent depression

By

The Family Thrive Expert Team

New Research: High-carb meals activate brain areas associated with addiction and hunger

Podcast

New Research: High-carb meals activate brain areas associated with addiction and hunger

By

The Family Thrive Expert Team

New Research Tuesday: One More Reason to Avoid Pop Tarts, Cheez-Its, and Other Processed Snacks

Podcast

New Research Tuesday: One More Reason to Avoid Pop Tarts, Cheez-Its, and Other Processed Snacks

By

The Family Thrive Expert Team

Pumpkin Protein Smoothie

Recipes

Pumpkin Protein Smoothie

By

Chef Andrew Johnson

Delicata Squash Tacos

Recipes

Delicata Squash Tacos

By

Chef Andrew Johnson

Lemon Zucchini Bread

Recipes

Lemon Zucchini Bread

By

Chef Andrew Johnson

Thai-Style Curried Pumpkin Soup

Recipes

Thai-Style Curried Pumpkin Soup

By

Chef Andrew Johnson

Podcast Ep. 21: Thriving Through the Teen Years with Jena Curtis, EdD, and Vanessa Baker, Parent-Teen Relationship Coach

Podcasts

Podcast Ep. 21: Thriving Through the Teen Years with Jena Curtis, EdD, and Vanessa Baker, Parent-Teen Relationship Coach

By

The Family Thrive Podcast

Parenting Is the Spiritual Practice the World Needs Right Now

Pro Perspective

Parenting Is the Spiritual Practice the World Needs Right Now

By

Justin Wilford, PhD

New Research: One science-backed trick for parents to build stronger muscles

New Research Tuesday

New Research: One science-backed trick for parents to build stronger muscles

By

The Family Thrive Expert Team

New Research: Parent intimacy may reduce adolescent depression

New Research Tuesday

New Research: Parent intimacy may reduce adolescent depression

By

The Family Thrive Expert Team

New Research: High-carb meals activate brain areas associated with addiction and hunger

New Research Tuesday

New Research: High-carb meals activate brain areas associated with addiction and hunger

By

The Family Thrive Expert Team

New Research Tuesday: One More Reason to Avoid Pop Tarts, Cheez-Its, and Other Processed Snacks

New Research Tuesday

New Research Tuesday: One More Reason to Avoid Pop Tarts, Cheez-Its, and Other Processed Snacks

By

The Family Thrive Expert Team

Subscribe to get all the goods

Join for free
Login