I have been sick multiple times in the last few months and have noticed my symptoms to be more intense and to last longer than others who got sick around me. I am still recovering from a recent case of bronchitis, where I completely lost my voice for an entire week! Thankfully I find silence peaceful, but it was also quite frustrating, and it got me thinking a lot about how HSPs experience being sick in our own unique way.
Being sick is never easy, but did you know that as a highly sensitive person, you may take longer to recover? Our heightened sensitivity can make us more susceptible to stress, which can weaken our immune systems and prolong our recovery time.
Not only that, but highly sensitive people may also be more prone to experiencing the physical and emotional symptoms of illness. We may feel more fatigued, experience more intense physical discomfort, and have more intense emotions.
So, what can we do to support ourselves when we're sick?
Firstly, it's crucial to take care of our physical well-being. This means getting plenty of rest, staying hydrated, and nourishing our bodies with healthy foods. As highly sensitive people, it's especially important to be mindful of our bodies' needs and limitations, and to give ourselves permission to rest and recover fully. I highly recommended practicing restorative yoga when sick to help you rest and calm the nervous system. Try my “Rest for the Weary” or “Support for Fatigue.”
Secondly, we need to take care of our emotional well-being. Being sick can be stressful, and as highly sensitive people, we may be more prone to feeling overwhelmed or anxious. Giving ourselves permission to rest and recover can be challenging, but it's an essential part of the healing process. We may need to set boundaries with work, family, or social commitments, and prioritize our own well-being.
Thirdly, we need to remember that it's okay to ask for help. Whether it's asking a loved one to bring us soup, reaching out to a healthcare professional for support, or just talking to a friend, seeking help when we're sick is a sign of strength, not weakness. As highly sensitive people, we may feel like we need to handle everything on our own, but that's simply not true.
Finally, we need to be patient with ourselves. Recovery is a journey, and as highly sensitive people, we may take longer to get there. But by taking care of ourselves physically and emotionally, asking for help when we need it, and being patient and kind to ourselves, we can support ourselves on the path to healing.
Being sick is never easy, but as highly sensitive people, we may face unique challenges when it comes to recovery. By taking care of ourselves physically and emotionally, asking for help when we need it, and being patient with ourselves, we can support ourselves on the journey to healing.
To learn more about supporting yourself as a Highly Sensitive Person, check out my Online Course, Empowered Sensitivity.
With love & sensitivity, Christie
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