Self-care is essential to keeping life balanced — especially for a highly sensitive person. It can include being proactive to reduce the chances for feeling overwhelmed, but it also involves knowing what to do when you realise you are overwhelmed, McGreal said.
One essential proactive thing HSPs can do is to get quiet time alone every day to reflect and recharge, said Snow. She said that Dr. Aron recommends two hours a day, one day of quiet downtime per week, and one week of quiet downtime per season. During this quiet time, Snow said the individual can create or look at art, play an instrument, meditate, do repetitive forms of exercise or gentle movement, get out in nature, and spend meaningful time with animals. It's also important for the HSP to say no to people or invitations that will make them feel overwhelmed.
When an HSP does get overstimulated, the above will also help. Taking time alone to have a hot shower or bath in dim light, doing something artsy, listening to calming music, writing in a journal, doing yoga, or taking a nap are helpful options. McGreal said, "A good way to gauge if it's an effective self-care activity is to ask yourself if you feel refreshed afterwards or feel mentally and emotionally balanced."
Highly sensitive people's mental health may benefit from working with a therapist, since they think deeply, can suffer from body image issues, and may feel easily overwhelmed, particularly one who is an HSP themselves.