This is the best way to deal with your high sensitivity

With an editorial team full of women, it is usually a symphony of chatter and clatter at 600 hertz in terms of decibels. Fortunately, I can completely shut myself off and still type a sensible word amidst all the hectic conversations.

But yes, that is easier for some than for others. And sometimes I also get completely distracted when there is chatter about new straw bags and a bargain at Zara. But it can be more serious if you always feel overstimulated when you are in busy environments. If you are particularly tired after a day at the office, are tense without a clear cause and your head is literally overflowing, that can very well be related to the fact that you are highly sensitive. That is not strange at all.

Because at least 15 to 20 percent of people suffer from high sensitivity. This means that you quickly become overstimulated and that you cannot always handle emotions very well. You also sometimes have fluctuating moods and often find the atmosphere in a place very determining for your own mood. In addition, you often have too little energy to do everything you would like, and you cannot feel a hundred percent happy when you are with others you do not know well. You are sensitive, oversensitive to sounds, movements, and smells. But there are certainly also advantages. For example, these people are very sensitive to their loved ones and always take into account the feelings of others. In short: you are a sweetheart with the best intentions.

What you can best do when dealing with high sensitivity and you want to feel a bit better and stronger? We have advice.

• Clearly set your boundaries and dare to say ‘no’. If you are stressing too much about something: just cancel it. The world won't end.
• Listen carefully to yourself and relax more often than others do. Know that you really need your rest and your silences to be able to function at other times. So cancel appointments if you don't feel well, don't plan too much in one day, and ensure enough me-time weekly. You and the couch, and no one else. This way you can recharge your battery to not be disturbed by all the stimuli at work.
• It also applies: do this often. Frequency is important. Even if you have a short moment for yourself; that helps too. Better three times a day a moment of ten minutes for yourself than one long moment.
• Accept that it can sometimes become too much for you, tell this to everyone you are with, and don't be ashamed. Just take a little step back.