Episode 92 - why radical self-care is a necessity and not a luxury for HSPs

Meeting of Minds

This is the 3rd episode of the HSP Connection and this week Robbie and I are talking about one of our favourite subjects: SELF-CARE

Yes, self-care can involve a lovely, hot bath, a massage or permission to spend all day watching New Amsterdam (anyone else or is it just me?). What we mean here is radical self-care; the stuff we aren't usually taught about but is so important for HSPs to thrive. As Robbie says, self-care is as important for HSPs as sleep.

Our nervous systems are processing so much information, we have to find the things that work for us to relax, restore and rejuvenate our system. It is not a luxury or a "good to have". It's essential if we are to live a fulfilled life full of joy. And that starts with self-care.

It's possible, it's do-able, it's worth it.

We talk about:

• how we'd all be better off slowing the pace down, to be present and notice what is going on around us
• taking time for ourselves, to rest and digest, is something we'd all benefit from and it's essential for HSPs
• women get the message from all around them that we must look after others first before ourselves. That narrative does not serve women, and causes much harm, and it must change.
• giving ourselves permission to take care of ourselves; make us the priority
• asking ourselves what we need - we know this isn't easy and progress comes from embracing the uneasiness rather than staying stuck in the same narrative driven pattern
• figuring out what feels good - this will be different for all of us
• making a habit of checking in with ourselves throughout the day
• making space for quiet time, alone time, unplanned time
• find the things that bring you joy and do more of them - like being in nature (Robbie loves what she calls "Big Nature"), a warm bath, cold water swimming (this is Philippa's thing), sunsets, forests, cooking, reading, meditating .......
• journalling (that's journaling if you're in the US)
• find ways to bring yourself back into your body, back into the moment, be present - yoga and breath work are really good for this
• EFT (aka tapping) - really great for lots of things, particularly anxiety
• seek out medical practitioners, healers, therapists, coaches etc that understand about high sensitivity and can help you
• boundary setting - this is a BIG one and we'll cover this in a later episode
• finding the things that light you up - that could be nature etc, it might also be your work or volunteering

Useful links:

Robbie: https://www.robbieleigh.com/

Willow McIntosh: https://inluminance.com/

Julie Bjelland: https://www.juliebjelland.com/

Highly Sensitive Refuge blog: https://highlysensitiverefuge.com

AnnaCalm: https://www.annacalm.com/

LINKS

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Production: Jay Herbert

Original music: Jay Herbert and Alex Ware