As Highly sensitive people (HSPs), we have a heightened awareness of our emotions and the emotions of others. While this can be an incredible gift, it can also make us more vulnerable to feeling overwhelmed and hurt by the ups and downs of life.
As HSPs, we may close our hearts as a means of self-protection, fearing that we will not be able to handle the inevitable heartbreak that can arise from being human. However, when we close our hearts, we close ourselves not only to the challenging emotions, but to the positives ones as well. I have had experiences that have closed my heart and it has been important for me to practice heart opening to learn to be more open to life again. In this blog, we will explore how heart opening practices can benefit highly sensitive people and provide practical tips for incorporating these practices into daily life.
8 Ways to Open Your Heart as an HSP:
1) Loving-kindness meditation
Loving-kindness meditation, also known as Metta meditation, is a practice that involves sending love and positive intentions to ourselves and others. This type of meditation can help HSPs cultivate a sense of compassion and empathy, leading to greater emotional openness and connection.
2) Self-compassion
Self-compassion involves treating ourselves with kindness, understanding, and acceptance, especially during difficult or challenging times. As highly sensitive people, we can be especially hard on ourselves, which can hinder our ability to connect with our emotions and others. By practicing self-compassion, we can create a more nurturing and supportive internal dialogue, leading to greater connection and a more open heart.
3) Gratitude practice
Gratitude is a powerful tool for opening the heart. By focusing on the things that we are thankful for, we can shift our perspective from one of lack or scarcity to one of abundance and appreciation. HSPs may find it particularly helpful to focus on the small moments of joy or beauty in our lives, such as the sound of birds singing or the taste of our favorite food. What we focus on is not as important as the fact that we are experiencing gratitude, so whatever is easiest for you to feel grateful for is a good place to start.
4) Acts of kindness
Doing something kind for others can also help open the heart. Acts of kindness can be as simple as giving someone a compliment or holding the door open for a stranger. These small gestures can create a ripple effect of positivity that can benefit both the giver and the recipient. As HSPs we may already do these things naturally, but having the conscious intention to do random acts of kindness can help to open the heart even more.
5) Heart-Opening Yoga Poses
In our modern world, many of us spend hours each day hunched over computers, smartphones, and other technology. This can lead to a rounded forward posture, which can cause tension and tightness in the chest, shoulders, and neck. For highly sensitive people, this can also create a sense of disconnect from our emotions and the world around us.
Yoga can also help open the heart by releasing tension in the chest and shoulders and improving circulation to the heart. In particular, heart-opening yoga poses can be especially beneficial for HSPs. These poses include backbends such as camel pose, bridge pose, and upward-facing dog. These postures help stretch the chest, shoulders, and spine, which can help release tension and increase feelings of openness.
6) Heart Coherence Meditation:
Heart Coherence Meditation is a practice that involves bringing the mind and body into a state of coherence, or harmony. This is achieved by focusing on the heart and cultivating feeling what is called “rejuvenating feeling.” For highly sensitive people, this practice can be especially beneficial for opening the heart and cultivating emotional awareness.
To practice Heart Coherence Meditation, find a quiet and comfortable place to sit or lie down. Close your eyes and breathe evenly in and out. Bring your attention to your heart center, imagining a warm and loving energy emanating from this area as you breathe. As you focus on your heart, cultivate feelings of love, gratitude, and compassion. You may visualize a loved one or a happy memory to help evoke these emotions. As you continue to breathe deeply and focus on your heart, allow these feelings to expand and fill your entire being.
7) Creative expression
For many highly sensitive people, creative expression can be a powerful way to connect with our emotions and express ourselves. Whether it's painting, writing, singing, or dancing, engaging in creative activities can help HSPs tap into their innermost feelings and share them with the world.
8) Social connections
Lastly, as highly sensitive people, we often need deeper connections with others in order to feel fulfilled and happy. Cultivating meaningful relationships with friends and family members can be a powerful way to open the heart and feel more connected to the world. HSPs may also benefit from seeking out communities of like-minded people, whether it's through a support group or a social club.
It's important to remember that opening the heart is a journey, and it's okay to take things one step at a time. With patience, self-compassion, and perseverance, you can create a more open, fulfilling, and connected life.
To practice heart opening, try my slow flow yoga class. Join for FREE with my free class pass or 7-day day free trial of my Yoga for the Sensitive Soul membership.
With love and sensitivity,
Christie
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