We are all energetic beings and some of us absorb energy more than others. If you often feel dragged around or pushed down at the whim of some other power, you may be among the 15-20% of people who are classified as Highly Sensitive Personality or “HSP”.  In Dr. Elaine Aron’s book The Highly Sensitive Person she describes this personality type (not a disorder) as one in which 1 out of every 5 people experience.  HSP is the quality of being more aware of one’s surroundings, more easily overwhelmed and stimulated by noise, textures, chaos, and the energetic quality of others. When compared to the 80% of the population without the trait, those who are HSP process everything around them to a higher degree, elaborating on it, making associations, reflecting on what is around them and this increased processing can lead to increased stress and anxiety.  Without awareness, this blessing can sometimes feel like a curse. HSP is also an empathy trait common among those who choose helping professions such as psychology, social work, life coaching or medicine.  (To determine whether you are HSP you can take a test on Aron’s website  http://hsperson.com/test/highly-sensitive-test/)

Navigating through life feeling other people’s emotions and moods can drain energy without our awareness. Like sponges, we soak up all the energy that we find ourselves surrounded by and it leaves us wondering, “Why is life so intense?” Perhaps you have been called “too sensitive” by others in your life. Those who are HSP can sometimes even be targeted by energy vampires, can feel overwhelmed on a daily basis, noticing that negativity is more present than they would like in their lives.

Instead of feeling like victims, those of us with HSP can use understanding of their personality for their victory! By creating deliberate steps each day to empower, protect, and cleanse energy, we can guide ourselves towards living a life of intention and peace.

5 steps to protecting your energy  

1. Create Awareness.  Begin to notice your sensitivities without judgment. Track when you feel most drained, irritated, and what type of situation it is or with whom.

2. Decide to Protect your energy daily.  Begin to understand your energy is not an unlimited commodity and that you can decide how it is expended and replenished.

3. Visualize your strength, your boundaries, and your protection. It may be an invisible shield you have mentally create around you or a literal boundary you will create with an individual.

4. Use Natural Elements for Cleansing.  Use the element of water to cleanse energy by taking a salt bath or use a mindful shower to connect to the present moment. Enjoy sitting around a fire and imagine it cleansing negative energy and thought patterns from the air around you. Ground yourself on the earth feeling the grass and earth and deliberately moving your energy though your body into ground.

5. Move That Energy.  Skipping, running, jumping, dancing anything moves your body and allows you to shift energy and release natural endorphins to replenish your energy.

Helene Verdile and Kim Perone are Certified Life Coaches at The Center for Clarity, Compassion & Contentment ~ A Wellness Center located at 801 Route 50 (behind Edward Jones), serving clients one-on-one and in group coaching programs and can be reached at [email protected], (518) 470-0048; [email protected] (518) 301-3593. Coaching programs include: Power of YOU, Fearless, Calling all Empaths, Teen Power Hour, Joy Starts Here, Live by Design, Innerspace, Inspired Life Club, Elevate, and Soul Sessions.