how to exercise if you’re overwhelmed

Ash Alves is an HSP and founder of the wellness organization Warrior Reminder. “Exercise can be difficult because you’re excited about what’s happening around you and find it difficult to focus on what you’re doing,” she says.

“HSP is very aware of the noise, lighting and facial expressions of our neighbors. We tend to listen to what’s happening around us, which is what we do in our sessions. It can be very difficult to focus on.

“In addition, we take the nuances and details of things. When we do, we notice everything that is changing, both inside and outside.”

It is not because they are easily excited, stimulated and distracted that they make HSP exercise difficult. “The reason we are so sensitive to these things is that HSPs have a sensitive central nervous system,” says Alves.

Given that exercise utilizes the nervous system, it can also be internally stimulating. Racing Hearts in HIIT can do our best, but it can be overwhelming if even small changes are incredibly noticed. “I can manage that level of arousal, but all HSPs are different. And that’s not what I can do for a long time. For example, running without headphones is distractingly inside me. I can hear all the sounds. “

Is exercise suitable for very sensitive people?

All we know about exercise is that it is set up to help with mental health. This includes HSP.Papers from the journal Nature “Meditative practices” such as careful walking and outdoor running have been found to improve the health of HSPs. Perhaps to give them time to process their thoughts.

“Very sensitive people live in a rich and complex world, which means that we tend to ruminate, think about the past, and look back on what happened. I think it helps us get out of our heads and allows us to actually be inside our bodies, “says Alves.

“I also think that the general benefits of exercising are very well reflected in HSP. Taking care of yourself and feeling better mentally, physically and emotionally can be overstimulating. Useful when you feel you are. You take the time to take care of yourself, and instead of feeling more exhausted because you are not taking care of your body, you are in good health and fullness. I know I can handle it from the place. “

The best type of exercise for HSP

The type of movement you choose can be crucial to whether it helps or hinders your sensitivity. This does not mean that there is a comprehensive approach. All HSPs react differently to movement. For example, Alves says he must listen to music when he runs to avoid physical and environmental distractions.

But for Lauren Gial, stylistDigital writers are best run without headphones. “As someone with a rich and complex inner thinking process, I often get absorbed in my thoughts when I go jogging, so I don’t have to distract myself,” she says. increase.

Alves suggests the following places to start with movement for HSPs suffering from overstimulation of movement.

Try to move lonely

This can mean staying at home or going to the gym only during quiet hours, not during peak hours. It’s an easy way to limit distractions.

I go outside

A deep connection with nature can be a gift – take advantage of it. “Running in a peaceful environment is a very important way for me to agree with my senses and relax,” says Alves.

Focus on less impactful movements

“I think slow exercise like yoga is important for connecting with the body, which means that you aren’t drawn into the external environment and you don’t decompress by stretching to release tension,” Alves said. Says.