The Highly Sensitive Person Podcast

How have I not yet tackled the topic of travel? I looove to explore new places, and in today's episode, I share my top 11 HSP travel tips from 35+ countries of experience.

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• How to travel the world long-term when you are highly sensitive
• HSP travel survival kit

• AirBnb for renting apartments (free $25 credit)

Podcast music attribution: By the Coast (2004) (Antony Raijekov) / CC BY-NC 2.5

Recently someone posted this question in the introvert subreddit on reddit: "How to deal with half wanting new friends and half wanting to be a hermit?"

I hear and read questions like this all the time from introverts and introverted HSPs. We cherish being alone, and then sometimes wonder if we can get along without worrying about having relationships. After all, relationships are time consuming, difficult, and can be painful.

But then we often realize that we cannot exist alone. It might seem easier to avoid relationships, but it is bad for our mental and physical health. Humans were built to need and thrive on connection with others.

A Vice.com interview with Amy Banks, PhD, titled, "An Expert Explains Why You Feel So Lonely All the Time" really piqued my interest in this topic. I loved Dr. Banks' scientific explanation of why having quality relationships is so important.

Dr. Banks was an instructor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and is now the Director of Advanced Training at Jean Baker Miller Training Institute at the Wellesley Centers for Women. Her newest book is called Wired to Connect: The Surprising Link Between Brain Science and Strong, Healthy Relationships.

On this episode, we talk about:

• The health impact of loneliness and disconnection
• Why American society values the "do-it-alone" mindset so strongly
• The dopamine reward system and relationships
• Online bullying
• How a boss or manager can use good relationships to improve the workplace
• Connections with animals
• And....communism?!? (Note: communism is discussed simply for the concept of community vs. individualism. We are not saying we want to live in a communist society!)

Amy recommends that those looking to improve their relationships first take her free Relational Assessment. You can get in touch with Amy on Twitter, Facebook, and check out her column on Psychology Today: Wired to Love Other books recommended by Dr. Banks in this episode:

• Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community by Robert Putnam
• Love and Survival: 8 Pathways to Intimacy and Health by Dean Ornish

Want to support the podcast?

If you enjoy my podcast and blog, if you find it helpful, uplifting, or entertaining, that's awesome! Would you consider giving just $1 per episode? Check out my Patreon page to see how it works. A special thank you to Gloria, the newest supporter!

Podcast music attribution: Bust This Bust That (Professor Kliq) / CC BY-NC-SA 3.0

In this episode, I share stories about things that have grossed me out--a cow lung, pinning insects, and dissecting pigs. I also discuss how HSPs might get "grossed out" more than people without the trait--touching on the vasovagel response.

Mentioned on the show:

• Radiolab "The Heartbeat" episode

The blog post version of this post:

• Visceral Reactions to Blood & Guts

If you enjoy my podcast and blog, if you find it helpful, uplifting, or entertaining, that's awesome! Would you consider giving just $1 per episode? Check out my Patreon page to see how it works. Thank you to my newest patron, Lindsay Marie!

Podcast music attribution: Bust This Bust That (Professor Kliq) / CC BY-NC-SA 3.0

Did you know that highly sensitive people and narcissists tend to be attracted to each other?

I've welcomed Nikki Eisenhauer onto the show today to discuss what a narcissist is and why HSPs can be drawn to people with narcissistic personality disorder.

I think it's important for HSPs to be aware of this topic so they can identify and deal with harmful relationships.

Nikki is an engaging guest and does a great job of explaining this topic in a digestible way. She is a licensed professional counselor (LPC), chemical dependency counselor (LCDC), yoga and meditation teacher, and possible budding comedian. In this episode, we talk about:

What is a narcissist vs. sociopath personality, The difference between anxiety and intuition, What it's like to be an HSP and a therapist, What most therapists don't know about HSPs, Why improv might be good for HSPs, and more!

Nikki specializes in trauma, grief and loss, addiction, and has come to understand what wounds, drives, and heals Highly Sensitive People. Her most recent passion project is Wise Owl Within, where she offers Sensitive and Healers support, evolution, and the life they desire. Get in touch with her on Facebook and Twitter!

Want to support the podcast? If you enjoy my podcast and blog, if you find it helpful, uplifting, or entertaining, that's awesome! Would you consider giving just $1 per episode? Check out my Patreon page to see how it works. http://www.patreon.com/hsp

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Podcast music attribution: Bust This Bust That (Professor Kliq) / CC BY-NC-SA 3.0

You’d think as an HSP that I’d be good at knowing what to say when someone I care about, a friend or family member, had something terrible happen to them. I want SO BADLY to say something helpful, but I’m always afraid that I’ll say the wrong thing. So this honestly isn’t for HSPs only—these tips could help anyone.

Links from this episode:

• The Condolence Coach blog
• Condolence notes for the death of a pet: A Dog’s Tale
• Condolence notes for miscarriage or stillbirth: Soothing A Terrible Loss

Thank you to Tabitha Jones and Stephanie Pollock for supporting this podcast on Patreon!! THANK YOU!!

If you enjoy my podcast and blog, if you find it helpful, uplifting, or entertaining, that's awesome! Would you consider giving just $1 per episode? Check out my Patreon page to see how it works. You can get special rewards, too!

Podcast music attribution: Bust This Bust That (Professor Kliq) / CC BY-NC-SA 3.0