How to Handle Stressful Times and Uncertainty as a Highly Sensitive Person

Hey, Highly Sensitive Person -

At the time I'm writing this, it's been two weeks since the 2024 US presidential election ended.

I'll just address the elephant in the room.

What are your feelings about the results?

Are you relieved the campaign season is FINALLY over?

Is it business as usual? (And yes, it's perfectly okay if that's the case)

Are you disappointed, shocked, scared, anxious, stressed, and / or overwhelmed? (These are words many HSPs are sharing with me right now)

Are you pulling inward or looking for ways to reach out?

Maybe it's a combination of all of these modes and then some.



Regardless of your stance in the political debate, I think all of us Highly Sensitive People (HSPs) can say we're picking up disturbances in The Force right now.

Things are feeling "off" in the wider world, and it's bringing up some pretty intense emotions, both ours and other people's.

A lot of HSPs are either uncertain and stressed right now, or they're picking up on other people's fear and worry and carrying it around with them.

Or both... (yikes...)

That's a lot of energy that's likely draining your batteries, leaving you feeling stuck, or plain old overstimulating you.

The crummy part is that we don't have control over many circumstances in our lives (like the outcomes of elections or the outbreak of a global pandemic, for a couple small examples).

We can do things on the front-end to participate, to prepare, and to process...

But we can't control what happens in the wider world.

In the end, we can only control our own perceptions, behaviors, and the actions we take (or don't take).

So when shitake hits the proverbial fan (communally or personally), there are 5 strategies you can do right now to handle stress and uncertainty.

1. Stabilize your nervous system

2. Feel your emotions all the way through

3. Let go of carrying other people's emotions

4. Break unhelpful thought loops and ruminations

5. Connect - don't isolate!

   
   

Each of these strategies builds on each other, so you handle each one until you feel ready to tackle the next level.

To learn more about how to do this, check out this week's episode of the Highly Sensitive Club ep 48. How to Handle Stress and Uncertainty as an HSP.

Listen on your favorite podcast app and / or watch on YouTube.

Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Audible | YouTube | Website

You'll learn practical ways to build on these strategies, like:

• Knowing when to calm or "ground" the energy in your nervous system.

• A simple breathing technique that will calm your body right away.

• The technique to find where emotions live in your body.

• How to give back other people's emotions when you've picked them up during your day.

• Clear ways to break out of thought loops.

And there's even more on top of this highlights!

I want this to be your practice survival guide as an HSP, and each technique is simple and easy to start - no assembly required.

Tune in to get your dose of calm and confidence.

We're all navigating these choppy waters together.

Biggest, warmest vibes your way,

Steph

P.S. Need help navigating your thoughts and emotions around unexpected events? Book a consultation call with me. This is going to be one of the most insightful hours of your whole year, and you'll walk away with clarity, calm, and a plan. I got you! Book the call, and let's get started.