Being a highly sensitive person can be challenging. Many are looking for ways to deal with its effects, including CBD. Is it a good option? Read on and find out!

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

As a highly sensitive person (HSP), you can have heightened sensory experiences and overwhelming emotions. You have a super responsive nervous system. Many times, you can experience the feeling of being shaken because of how your body responds to your environment. It might also increase the chances of anxiety.

High sensitivity, however, is not a mental disorder. Instead, it is a personality trait. From getting enough sleep to maintaining a healthy diet, several factors can help HSPs deal with their everyday lives. CBD is one more thing that some people are trying. Is it a good option?

How CBD can help

Being a healthy HSP is often a priority for many people who are struggling with such a personality trait. An optimal state of health, however, may not be a guarantee that your sensitivity will lessen. As such, some people might resort to alternative approaches, including CBD. Below, we’ll explore the potential ways by which CBD can help. 

#1 It May Reduce Anxiety

As an HSP, you may experience a depth of processing, low tolerance to sensory input, strong emotional response, and strong unconscious nervous system activity. It means that you might be deeply processing your emotions and thoughts, making it difficult to calm down. In turn, it might make you more prone to anxiety, especially when environmental factors contribute, such as being in a large crowd or having too bright light. 

Breathing exercises and mindfulness are some potential ways by which HSPs can deal with anxiety. Other people also resort to the use of CBD. Current evidence suggests that CBD has considerable potential for the treatment of different anxiety disorders.  It is believed to have therapeutic properties, including neuro protective, analgesic, and antipsychotic effects. 

#2 It May Help You Sleep Better

HSPs experience magnified sleep barriers. From the noise outside your room to the constant worrying about what will happen tomorrow, many factors might make it difficult to have a good night’s sleep. Because you experience the world at a heightened level, proper sleep is a must as it can help improve information processing during the day. It can also help you make better decisions, improve concentration, and have better control of your emotions. 

While clinical data from human experiments remain scarce, literature reviews support that CBD can have therapeutic benefits, which makes it a potential insomnia treatment. A higher dose can increase mental sedation. To add, even higher doses did not show toxic effects. 

#3 It May Improve Mood

Strong feelings are common for HSPs. When these emotions are negative, they can be overwhelming and might affect your mood. It can harm emotion regulation. It affects the acceptance of your internal state, and more importantly, how you regulate them. To improve their mood, some people might resort to the use of CBD. 

In one study, the researchers assert the promise of CBD as a new agent for the treatment of mood disorders. Despite this, the molecular mechanism remains unknown. The same study also notes the behavioral effects of CBD pharmacology to examine its impact on neuropsychiatric diseases. 

#4 Different Ways You Can Use CBD

HSPs who want to try CBD have several options on how to take it. Based on anecdotal evidence, below are some of the most, although note that there is no guarantee that they will work: 

1. Oil: Looking at CBD oil reviews from actual users, you will see that the experiences vary from person to person. Every individual responds differently based on physiological factors. Aside from reading reviews, you can also try different products and see which one works for you. Like with other ways of taking CBD, starting with a low dose can be a good idea to see how you will react to it.  
2. Tincture: Not to be confused with CBD oil, CBD tincture uses an alcohol-based extract. The alcohol uses a solvent for extracting the natural compounds from the cannabis plant. This method is beneficial as it preserves cannabinoids while also protecting against oxidation. 
3. Vape Pen: Most CBD vapes are made using industrial hemp, and hence, you will not get high. They might also contain ingredients that you will find in other vape juices, including propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin. Some people say that it helps them clear their minds while others note that it makes them tired. 
4. Gummies: For a more discrete way of administering CBDs, some people might choose gummies. Some HSPs take it before they are in a high-stress situation, such as when being in a crowded place. 
5. Capsules: When taken orally, capsules and pills can deliver CBD through the digestive system. Some people prefer them because of their ease of use. It may take up to 40 minutes before reaching the bloodstream and for the effects to become apparent. 

A Word of Caution

While CBD might show promise of being a good choice for HSPs, the results are inconclusive. It warrants more studies to prove the assertions, which are mostly based on anecdotal evidence. Not to mention, many of the studies mentioned are based on the effects of CBD on the conditions that HSPs can experience and not a direct association between HSPs and CBD. 

Some people using CBD noted potential side effects of taking CBD. For instance, some noted that it made them feel tired. Others, however, share that they had panic attacks. One thing that might help is to choose your dosage and pick high-quality products. Consider taking it gradually as well to see how your body reacts. Consulting with a doctor can also help if you are unsure whether to take CBD or not. 

In Closing

CBD can be a good option for HSPs, especially in terms of reducing anxiety, enhancing mood, and improving sleep. Nonetheless, as with any other CBD effects, more studies are necessary to have enough empirical evidence to support many claims, which are mostly anecdotal. 

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The post Is CBD a Good Option for a Highly Sensitive Person? appeared first on HiSensitives.

Estimated reading time: 6 minutes

A healthy lifestyle can be challenging for a highly sensitive person (HSP). If you are an HSP, then you would know the struggle!

A low pain threshold is one of the most common signs of being an HSP. You can also be prone to complex health problems like chronic anxiety and autoimmune illnesses. Not to mention, you may neglect self-care and easily feel overwhelmed. All these might make it difficult to create a fitness routine and stick to it. 

While being an HSP may come with unique difficulties, do not let them become a hindrance. Keep reading as we share some of the best things to help you build a fitness routine.

#1 Workout on Your Own

HSPs are easily overwhelmed. Their physical, emotional, and spiritual feelings are often too strong. With such, many will prefer to be alone. Hence, you might want to work out at home instead of going to the gym, especially if you feel uncomfortable when you are surrounded by others. The gym can give you sensory overload. You might feel that everyone is watching your every move. 

Building a home gym does not have to be expensive. Invest in versatile home gym equipment to save space. You might even want to consider focusing on exercises that do not require equipment. Create a workout schedule and try your best to stick to it. Add variety to your workouts to make your routine more interesting. 

#2 Maintain a Healthy Diet

Staying fit is not just all about physical activity. What you eat can impact your performance. Not to mention, it can also provide the fuel that your body needs during an exercise and can even help speed up your recovery.  

One thing that can help is to build a vegetable-based diet. Veggies are versatile. You can incorporate them in salads, smoothies, stews, and soups. Nuts, seeds, and whole grains are also nice to have. They will help you stay fit and are also some of the best foods to reduce anxiety for an HSP. If possible, choose organic produce which does not contain pesticides. Stay away from packaged and processed foods, and make sure you are drinking enough water too.

#3 Have Downtime

According to  Julie Bjelland, the author of The Empowered Highly Sensitive Person, downtime is a must for HSPs. It should include eight to ten hours of sleep, one complete day off from work each week, and one week off every season. Meanwhile, you also need two hours of unstructured alone time daily. With such, an intense and continuous workout can be stressful, so give yourself a break. 

Taking time off your workout can give your body time to recover. In turn, it might also prevent over-stimulation. Training can stress your body, making rest and recovery essential. Make your downtimes more productive by doing something that can be potentially beneficial, such as meditation or breathing exercises.

Here is a powerful meditation for your downtime as a highly sensitive person:

#4 Include Contemplative Practices

Planning your workouts can be challenging. Among others, one that you might want to include in your routine is a contemplative practice, which is believed to be important for the well-being of HSPs. 

A contemplative practice is a holistic approach to an individual’s health. Some of the best contemplative practices include mindful walking, tai-chi, and breathing meditation. 

#5 Focus on Low-Impact Exercises

Aside from contemplative practices, you might also want to incorporate low-impact exercises for your physical and mental health. The emphasis should be on minimal strain on your body, making sure that it does not result in overstimulation. 

It should be good to remember that low impact does not mean ineffective. Yoga and Pilates are great, especially because you can often do them alone in a room where you are comfortable instead of being surrounded by others who can heighten your senses. Swimming can also be a great exercise since the water is quiet and calming, but not when you do it in a crowded and noisy pool. 

#6 Drink The Right Supplements

Your fitness routine should also include taking the right supplements. For HSPs, supplements can help augment the effects of the exercises. Among others, you might want to take adaptogens. They can help in increasing energy levels and decreasing fatigue. It can manage physical and mental stressors and, in turn, help you achieve a balance. Some of the most common adaptogens include ginseng, Ashwagandha, and Rhodiola. 

You might also want to consider drinking supplements with digestive enzymes. They can help the body in breaking down foods, so you can stay fit and healthy. Plus, it improves nutrient absorption. 

#7 Get Enough Sleep

When talking about a fitness routine, most people will probably think about exercise. Nonetheless, do not ignore the importance of sleep. An HSP may find it difficult to sleep as even the slightest noise can be magnified. Your heightened senses might seem like a curse. Finding ways to improve sleep is essential, which can give you more energy to work out the next day.

Different elements can affect the sleep of HSPs, including anxiety, stress, drinking caffeine, alcohol consumption, overstimulation, and environmental factors. To improve sleep, it might help to have an hour or two of wind time before bed. These are comfortable activities without over-exertion, such as light stretching, listening to music, or reading. It might also help to engage in anxiety-reducing practices, such as meditation. Lastly, create a conducive environment. Keep the room dark and cool. You might even want to invest in a white noise machine. 

In Closing

Being an HSP can be challenging, especially when it comes to staying fit. To help you build an effective fitness routine, take note of the things mentioned above, such as incorporating contemplative practices and low-impact exercises into your routine. Aside from working out, eating a healthy diet, drinking supplements, and getting enough sleep can also help. 

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