High sensitivity is a set of traits that significantly influences, which on the one hand gives us a lot of empathy, but on the other hand can hinder daily functioning. The term Highly Sensitive Person (HSP), coined by American psychologist Elaine Aron, describes people with an innate sensitivity to sensory processing. Aron's research shows that these characteristics can affect the lives of such people on many levels.
Think you're a WWO person? Learn the 24 traits of highly sensitive people and see if you are one of them.
Characteristics of highly vulnerable people - general characteristics
The characteristics of highly sensitive people include an intense response to external stimuli such as sounds, light and smells, as well as a deep experiencing of emotions, both their own and other people's. Such people often feel uncomfortable in noisy, crowded places and often avoid situations that are too stimulating for them.
In addition, such people are characterised by high empathy, the ability to understand the emotions of others and a tendency to reflect and introspect. High sensitivity affects their professional and personal lives, forcing them to take care of their emotional and physical needs in order to remain balanced and calm.
Many people equate such people with introverts, but despite the similarities, there is no equal sign between the two.
24 characteristics of highly vulnerable people
1. discomfort in bright light, loud noise and strong odours
Highly sensitive people avoid places full of bright light, loud noises and intense smells. Such an excess of stimuli can quickly exhaust them. They are definitely not fans of rock concerts or horror movies in the cinema. The ideal environment for them is a quiet workplace with soft lighting and a calm atmosphere.
2. discomfort in large crowds and busy places
Being among many people in crowded places is extremely tiring for them. Although they may be extroverts, large amounts of social stimulation can quickly exhaust them. They like more intimate gatherings in a small group.
3. aversion to violent TV programmes and news
Highly sensitive people avoid watching violent programmes, news or shows that are full of violence. This content causes them severe stress and negative emotions that are hard for them to ignore.
4. have their 'withdrawal sites'
HSPs know exactly what relaxes and energises them. They always have their favourite places and activities to recharge their batteries. They know how to relax and regenerate, which is a huge advantage for them.
5. they do not hide their emotions
Highly sensitive people openly show their emotions, especially sad ones. In this way, they do not stew in negative feelings, which is psychologically healthy. Although this can sometimes look like weakness to others, for them it is a natural way of dealing with their emotions.
6. have an excellent understanding of the emotions of others
HSPs have extremely developed empathy. They can easily understand the emotions of others, which makes them great listeners and friends. If you have a highly sensitive friend, you can count on deep understanding and emotional support.
7. tendency to worry about the opinion of others
Highly sensitive people often worry about what others think of them, which leads to conformity. On the one hand they want to be polite and not offend anyone, but on the other hand they may feel frustration and resentment when their efforts are not appreciated.
8. difficulty in letting go of small things
Minor incidents or comments can affect them greatly and make them think about them for a long time. In discussions, they can focus on one word or sentence, leading to unnecessary conflict.
9. Inconsistency in the inner life
Although highly sensitive people openly express their emotions, they are often afraid of what others will think of them. This can lead to hiding negative feelings and avoiding conflict, which in turn can create an internal contradiction.
10. Difficulty in withstanding criticism
Criticism, even given in a gentle way, is difficult for them to accept. Highly sensitive people may overinterpret criticism and take it very personally, which affects their mood.
11. easily provoked
HSPs can easily succumb to provocation or see it where it does not exist. This can lead to difficult emotions and a status as an 'offending' person. However, they usually try to resolve conflicts gently and without escalation.
12. conflict avoidance
Highly sensitive people do not like to hurt others and try to avoid conflict. Due to their high empathy, they are able to understand how bad it is when someone is hurt, so they try to solve problems in a calm and drama-free way.
13. know the value of a good night's sleep
Sleep deprivation is unbearable for them. They know that sound sleep is crucial to their recovery, so they learn how to get a good night's sleep to maintain their emotional balance.
14. Taking care of diet
Like sleep, a proper diet is essential for them. A poor diet can drain them emotionally, so they make sure they eat regular and healthy meals, which helps them maintain their wellbeing.
15. Creative expression of emotions
HSPs often engage in creative activities such as painting, music, writing or blogging. Creativity is a safety valve for them to express their emotions in a positive way.
16. self-criticism
Highly sensitive people tend to punish themselves for failures. Even small mistakes can make them feel guilty and self-critical, which is a source of stress for them.
17. fear of rejection
Fear of rejection often makes HSPs give way in negotiations and accept inferior terms to avoid conflict. This can lead to irrational decisions, both at work and in their personal lives.
18. comparing oneself to others
Comparing themselves to others is a source of lowered self-esteem for them. They know it's unhealthy, but often have a hard time stopping themselves from doing it. They try to remember that every life is different and that there is no point in comparing themselves with others.
19. like to work alone
HSPs prefer to work independently, avoiding competition and direct contact with others. They do well in a team, but prefer cooperation to competition.
20. longer decision-making time
They take longer to make a decision because they are afraid of making złthat decision, especially in the presence of others. They try to think carefully about all options, which can delay their actions.
21. Intensive experience of art and nature
Highly sensitive people often derive great pleasure from communing with art and nature. Music, painting, landscapes or walks in the woods can be a source of deep experience and inspiration for them.
22. strong intuition
HSPs often rely on their intuition, which is an important tool for them in decision-making. Their ability to sense subtle signals from their environment helps them in many life situations.
23. Willingness to reflect
Highly sensitive people spend a lot of time reflecting and analysing their experiences and emotions. This allows them to understand themselves and others better, but can sometimes lead to excessive worrying.
24. High moral standards
HSPs have a strong sense of morality and strive to act according to high ethical standards. This makes them very honest and loyal, both in their personal and professional lives.
High sensitivity at work - how to cope?
After reading the above characteristics, do you think you are one such person? High sensitivity has many advantages, but also difficulties. More often than not, it gets in the way of finding yourself in a particular workplace. Here are some tips on how to deal with it:
- Avoid being in noisy areas for long periods of time - if possible, try to work in a quiet environment or use noise-cancelling headphones.
- Rest in silence - after work, find time to relax in a quiet place to recuperate and calm down.
- Limit the number of objects and colours that surround you - too much visual stimulus can be tiring, so it's worth keeping things simple and tidy.
- Keep things tidy - make sure every item has its place, which will help reduce the stress of clutter.
- Opt for relaxation techniques - techniques such as meditation or relaxation exercises can help manage stress.
- Develop assertiveness - learn the skills to set boundaries and communicate your needs.
Remember that high sensitivity is also an advantage. It can contribute to deeper information processing, greater empathy and the ability to form valuable relationships. By using these strengths, you can turn high sensitivity into an asset in your professional life.
How can an employer help WWO?
Are you an employer and want to help your vulnerable employees adapt more easily in the workplace? Here are some suggestions:
- Create a quiet working space - provide places where they can escape from noise and excess stimuli.
- Flexible working hours - allow employees to work at times when they feel most productive and less stressed.
- Ability to work remotely - give the opportunity to work from home from time to time.
- Team acceptance - ensure that the team is educated about the characteristics of highly vulnerable people to increase mutual understanding and acceptance.
- Regular breaks - encourage regular breaks to help avoid sensory and emotional overload.
- Stress management support - offer support to employees, such as workshops on mindfulness or relaxation techniques.
Remember that highly sensitive people often bring a lot of value to the team, such as deep empathy, perceptiveness and meticulousness. Adapting the working environment to their needs can not only help them in their daily functioning, but also benefit the whole team.
Training Group Meeting
In order to better understand your employees and their challenges, it is advisable to take advantage of professional training courses led by experienced psychologists. These trainings will help you gain the knowledge and skills you need to better understand and meet the needs of your team. In particular, we recommend the following training programmes:
- Closer to the needs of managers - be closer to your colleagues' needs and understand how they really work and what they expect.Â
- I'm OK, you're OK - The ability to think of yourself and others as "I am OK - you are OK" enables true collaboration and unlocks communication.
Summary
In summary, highly sensitive people often have sharpened intuition and the ability to notice subtle changes in their environment, allowing them to better understand the emotions and needs of others. High sensitivity may also be associated with greater vulnerability to stress and the need for longer recovery time after intense experiences.
However, you need to remember that while being a highly sensitive person can present some challenges, it is also a trait that enriches interpersonal relationships and can be a valuable asset in various aspects of your professional and personal life.
3 thoughts on “24 cechy wysoko wrażliwych osób”
Super text for those hypersensitive. It helps to understand yourself and stop blaming yourself for everything and believe in yourself. The worst thing is that our parents thought we were weird and this opinion drags on all our lives.