You Might Think You're Highly Sensitive, When Really, You're This

If you’re a highly sensitive person who tends to feel and sense more than the average person, you may be an ultra-sensitive person. When I first heard this term, I instantly knew it described me—even though I didn't fully understand what it meant.

Someone who is ultra-sensitive has extreme sensitivity to all sorts of sensory stimuli, foods, chemicals, and many other everyday, “normal” things in our environment. Our bodies are like refined antennae, picking up all kinds of subtleties that most people aren’t aware of. We’re like the canary in the coal mine, sensing danger and toxicity before anyone else.

Over the course of my career in holistic women’s health care, I’ve met hundreds of women who fall into this category who don't have the benefit of understanding their unique needs. No one taught us about ultra-sensitivity at school or at home, so learning how to live comfortably in this world can feel like a riddle with no clues.

For the ultra-sensitive person, life can feel overwhelming. You're burdened by a body that feels sick, a mind that feels assaulted by stimuli, and a spirit that struggles to feel at home in the world. This can keep you feeling stuck in relationships, your career, or life purpose.

Too often we conform to a mainstream agenda because we don’t want to appear different. This can lead to feeling unwell for days at a time. Don’t let others guilt or shame you into denying your bodily needs for rest and self-care. It’s okay to pass up crowded events in favor of a quiet night at home. As an ultra-sensitive person, you need a good deal of downtime to rebalance your nervous system.

Our materialistic society has minimal interest in subtleties, but those with ultra-sensitivity were highly valued in traditional cultures. We were the wisdom keepers, the advisors of kings. It’s time to acknowledge your incredible gifts. You have an insight into life and unseen realities that most people don’t begin to understand. You are part of a special tribe of spiritually astute warriors.

One of the biggest struggles for an ultra-sensitive person is figuring out the best place to receive support—especially in regard to your healthcare. You tend to feel everything in your body. You're hyper-aware of small changes and minor discomfort. Generally doctors don’t understand your level of sensitivity and may be dismissive of complaints that can’t be detected on lab tests.

What’s important is to know your own body better than any expert through disciplines like yoga, chi gong and meditation. For the ultra-sensitive person, chronic pain and other health conditions are often rooted in unprocessed emotion or trauma. Seeking help from somatic therapies like somatic experiencing or flower essence therapy will bring relief. It’s also vital to find practitioners who understand how deeply you feel, with a true respect for the wisdom of what your symptoms are attempting to express.

Navigating this world as an ultra-sensitive person isn’t always easy. But the more you learn to trust your body’s wisdom, the easier life becomes. The more you identify triggers that throw you off balance, the healthier you’ll be. Not everyone will understand your needs and sensitivities—and that’s okay. What’s important is self-knowledge and validation for your special gifts and requirements, which will improve every area of your life.