The Power of Silence for Highly Sensitive People

When you are an HSP, it can be challenging to deal with the daily noise in the world.  Whether it’s the cacophony of children outside school, the overstimulation of a crowded place, or the buzz of traffic, we can easily get pushed off center by sensory overload.  Even in more quiet places, we may still be engulfed by the emotions of others nearby (if we are highly empathic) or by the chatter in our mind as we try to cope with being in the world. 

Sitting in silence is a powerful remedy for these experiences.  This starts as a simple physical act, i.e. taking time and creating quiet space to sit with ourselves.  We then take it a step further by turning our attention inward so that we may find quiet within ourselves.  Often when we first try to sit and quiet our sensitive bodies and minds, things seem to get even louder.  This is because we become even more aware of our response to all that we have been taking in.  We may notice physical discomfort such as buzzing in our ears, a headache, a knot in our stomach, or racing thoughts and worries…It’s important, however, to notice this.  It’s important to acknowledge all our body and mind have been holding for us.  Many practice this awareness and call it mindfulness.  In my work as an intuitive coach, it is only the first step towards finding our grounding again. 

It may not seem fair, but HSP’s are easily ungrounded and pushed off center, more so than non HSP’s who aren’t taking the world in as deeply as we are. Therefore, HSP’s of all ages usally find that it isn’t enough just to become aware of our thoughts and sensations through mindfulness.  Especially because we are so often experiencing pain and discomfort in our sensitive bodies and hearts, it is important to actively work to clear some of the noise and energy that isn’t serving us.  Sitting in silence, we may ask ourselves some questions about how to help ourselves and listen inwardly for the answers so that we may move towards healing.  Some questions I typically ask in my own meditations include:

1.      Is this sensation or thought mine? 

I often find that physical discomfort is an indicator that I need to amplify my energy grounding and release someone else’s energy.  Likewise, I often find that a self-critical thought or even a feeling such as anger is happening because my energy boundaries are weak and I’ve picked up someone else’s thoughts or emotions.  When I ask the question and wait silently for the answer, it may come in the form of words, or I may see a person’s face or recall a conversation I had.  I pay attention to whatever information comes, in whatever way it wants to present itself.

2.      What do I need to achieve a state of wellbeing?

In Intuition Medicine®, the model of health includes being grounded and full of our own energy. So, often the answer I receive is that I need to clear out another person’s energy and fill up with my own.  This may involve using grounding techniques and clearing my energy field, or a more concrete action such as setting aside time to exercise .  The key again is to wait in silence and receive the answer, which may come as a visual (perhaps a waterfall or color appears in my inner vision, which I imagine is clearing my space), or a verbal instruction on what to do, or just a knowing. 

When you are new to this type of practice, it may take some time before you are able to lean into silence and all the potential information your intuition has for you.  It’s generally good to just take the first information that comes to you as an answer, even if you aren’t sure whether you are imagining it or that it’s accurate.  As you practice listening to your intuition, you will become more confident over time.  When you practice sitting in silence, and subsequently follow the messages you get from your inner self and find benefit, you will gain trust in yourself and your intuitive guidance.  If you’re not sure how to get to this place, where you are quiet enough to observe your inner experience and listen for answers on how to nurture yourself, I am here to support you!

 Let me know if these strategies are helpful!  As always, you’re welcome to get in touch with me anytime with questions about your specific situation. I also encourage you to check out the other resources on this page as potential strategies to understand and support yourself and the other HSP’s in your life. You may also check out the HSP resources on Julie Bjelland’s website by clicking below:

Carolina is an active and proud member of the Sensitive Empowerment Community!  Learn more about this wonderful group through Julie Bjelland’s website at https://www.fatfreecartpro.com/ecom/gb.php?cl=342244&c=ib&aff=383793. There are numerous free and paid resources designed to support Highly Sensitive People on this site!