The seven-year-old version of me once attended an event for homeschool families in my area. Over the course of the evening, I was persuaded to join a game of dodgeball, which I had never played before. Sounds fun, right? 

Well, after quickly being eliminated, the sting of the overinflated playground ball on my hand (and my newly-deflated ego) made me not so sure. I’m now 28 and haven’t played dodgeball since. Now, I don’t mean to imply that I was particularly traumatized by my brief “career” in dodgeball, but it was decidedly Not Fun. Having since identified myself as a highly sensitive person (HSP), I can see why I felt that way.

A few years later, I would reluctantly participate in group dances at Vacation Bible School — I mean, who wants to look like an old stick-in-the-mud at the tender age of 10? — while inwardly cringing at how silly I must look (even if all the other kids were dancing the same way). I’ve seen this phenomenon most recently with my own daughter at our Mommy and Me dance class. While she does enjoy the class and music, she doesn’t typically flock to the center of the room or display as much animation as some of the other kids. I also notice that the teacher’s well-intentioned attempts to get my child more engaged often backfire. 

It’s still too early to tell whether my child is an introvert, sensitive person, or any other such distinction, but the tendency to use high-energy enthusiasm to encourage children to participate in things starts young. But, before I continue, let’s talk about what it means to be a highly sensitive child.

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The Science Behind Highly Sensitive Children

While everyone is sensitive to a degree, some people are more sensitive than others. In fact, according to the latest research, nearly 30 percent of people are born more sensitive than average, both physically and emotionally. Researchers refer to this trait as environmental sensitivity or Sensory Processing Sensitivity. And don’t worry — all three levels of environmental sensitivity are considered healthy and normal.

In essence, as a personality trait, scientists define high sensitivity as taking in more information from your environment, processing it more deeply, and doing more with it, according to Jenn Granneman and Andre Sólo, coauthors of Sensitive. Sólo says that the sensitive brain is actually wired to process all information more deeply — effectively spending more time and mental resources on doing so.

So, children and adults who fall near the high end of the sensitivity continuum are called highly sensitive people, or HSPs. They will often be deeply attuned to their physical environment and to the emotions of others. They will pick up on subtle details, or make connections between ideas, that other people miss. They may be affected by textures, noises, and other things in the environment that others seem to shrug off. Often, sensitive children are highly creative and empathetic, and many are deep thinkers. Some researchers also believe high sensitivity is linked to giftedness.  

If your child is a highly sensitive person, they were likely born that way and will develop it further in childhood. They will remain sensitive for life — although as they develop, they can learn how to better regulate overstimulation, manage their strong emotions, and use their powerful sensitive mind to their advantage.

The best way to teach them that is to accept and validate their sensitivity, and help understand why they experience things — like dance class — so differently.

We Need to Better Understand Sensitive Children

I suspect that many highly sensitive people can relate to these childhood experiences. In churches, after-school programs, and summer camps across the nation, leaders design “fun” activities that all kids supposedly like. But… they fail to consider the sensitive ones who are fading into the background and wishing they were somewhere, anywhere, else. A lack of perceived enthusiasm in these children is seen as sullenness or sadness, and the solution is to redouble our efforts to get them excited about what’s happening. Instead, we should make an effort to understand them and their needs — like giving them alone time and not forcing them to participate.

The disconnect can leave highly sensitive kids like me feeling inadvertently gaslit, wondering, I’m supposed to be having fun. Is there something wrong with me? The consequences of this dynamic are not all fun and games, either. Pressuring kids to do things they don’t feel comfortable doing could be a recipe for embarrassment, resentment, and even poor boundary-setting skills later in life. 

I certainly don’t believe that the people who write curriculum and lead classes and events have anything against HSPs, but there seems to be a dearth of understanding of how they operate. This lack of awareness is compounded by the fact that children are lumped into a single category based on their age, even though every child truly is different. I feel that we, as a society, would do well to focus a bit more energy on connecting with sensitive kids — who will someday be sensitive adults — so that we don’t inadvertently drive anyone away.

So how can we minister to the needs of highly sensitive kids without losing the interest of the rest of the group? After all, it’s impossible to include and please everyone all of the time. However, there are several things adults can do to ensure that kids of all sorts at least get something valuable out of each class, event, or program. Here are some ideas.

6 Things Sensitive Kids Need to Thrive

1. Dial back the decibels, as they are sensitive to noise.

Something as simple as literally turning down the volume of music can make a significant difference to highly sensitive kids. Try setting the volume just loud enough that everyone can hear comfortably, in order to avoid overwhelming the sensitive types unnecessarily. Noise sensitivity is very real, especially for sensitive people.

2. Don’t insist on full participation; instead, base it on kids’ individual interests and learning styles.

In settings such as church activities or family events, chances are, kids do not have any grades riding on whether they play enough rounds of musical chairs or do all the hand motions to all the songs. There’s no true need to participate in these things — after all, they’re supposed to be fun! 

While it’s okay to invite a shy-looking child to join in if they want, don’t press the issue. The child may feel comfortable enough to participate more after a few weeks or class sessions, or they may prefer not to. Highly sensitive people have their own unique learning style, even when it comes to fun, and I think teachers and group leaders should pay more attention to this.

Need to Calm Your Sensitive Nervous System? 

HSPs often live with high levels of anxiety, sensory overload and stress — and negative emotions can overwhelm us. But what if you could finally feel calm instead?

That’s what you’ll find in this powerful online course by Julie Bjelland, one of the top HSP therapists in the world. You’ll learn to turn off the racing thoughts, end emotional flooding, eliminate sensory overload, and finally make space for your sensitive gifts to shine.

Stop feeling held back and start to feel confident you can handle anything. Check out this “HSP Toolbox” and start making a change today. Click here to learn more.

3. Curb the competition — a sensitive child should not be judged by “winning” or “losing.”

It especially pays to be mindful of competitive games. Sensitive kids tend to not like being in the spotlight, and this includes highly competitive activities. The pressure of winning and losing can very quickly outweigh any love of the game. So be aware of group games or contests that pit students against each other individually as others look on. Chances are, it’s doing more harm than good for a sensitive child’s confidence and self-esteem. 

4. Balance loud, high-energy activities with opportunities for quiet creativity.

There’s nothing innately “wrong” with dodgeball or dancing, but if “fun” is focused solely around these “louder” kinds of activities, some kids are sure to be left out. Consider interspersing them with other activities, like crafts that can be worked on individually (of course, the more active, less-sensitive kids shouldn’t be forced to participate in those, either!). 

If the environment is unstructured, like an after-school care program, provide equipment for a variety of independent activities (like paper and drawing pencils), as well as lively group games (like soccer ball and such).

5. Offer a listening ear — and truly listen to the feedback.

What kids really need is not the fanciest, flashiest programs, but rather, that adults simply be present and willing to listen. Observe how the kids in the group respond to certain activities, then tailor your plans accordingly. 

If you’re brave, you can even ask kids directly what their favorite — and least favorite — parts of the event were. Being in tune with the group members, and their preferences, goes a long way toward helping everyone have a good time, and thus, be more likely to come back next time. (Admittedly, this strategy works better the smaller the group is.) 

6. Allow for sensitive kids to play different roles.

In many group settings, there are several distinct roles — some people would rather be the frontman of the band while others would rather be the bass player. To prevent highly sensitive children from feeling separate from the rest of the group, look for multiple ways for kids to participate in the same activities for optimal inclusivity. Just like we each play different roles in our families, so, too, do we play different roles outside of our homes.

You may find that you have, for example, a Sunday school class of mostly extroverts who enjoy acting out stories… plus one highly sensitive person who enjoys writing. Perhaps that child would like to write the script for the others to act out. 

Another idea is to let kids take turns completing each step in a science experiment or recipe. Being able to carry out different functions toward a common goal is also helpful for learning teamwork skills, which will serve your young charges well later in life.

Kids are by no means a homogeneous category, and neither are their senses of “fun.” If leaders implement these strategies when designing “fun,” I believe they will find that each highly sensitive child has a greater chance of feeling seen, secure, and free to pursue their imagination, no matter what that looks like.

You might like:

• Is Your Child Highly Sensitive?
• Sensitive People Learn Differently. Here’s What They Need to Succeed
• These Are the Roles HSPs End Up Playing in Their Families — And How to Change Them

This article contains affiliate links. We only recommend products we truly believe in.

The post Sensitive Kids Play Differently Than Other Kids. Here’s What They Need to Thrive. appeared first on Sensitive Refuge.

It’s time that we as a society admitted it: coffee is out of control. What should be a simple beverage has become something of a whole culture. Being a “coffee person” is viewed as almost a personality trait or a status symbol, and our collective need for coffee is the punch line of countless jokes and memes all across this great Internet. Do a quick online shopping search, and you’ll likely find plenty of novelty mugs with slogans like “Instant Human: Just Add Coffee” and “Do not speak to me before I finish this coffee!” Coffee is supposedly the miracle drug that makes us lively, friendly, and ready to take on the world.

All jokes aside, does this rich, velvety brew leave you feeling less vibrant and more anxious? It may be due to being highly sensitive. Highly sensitive people (HSPs) are the roughly 30 percent of people who are acutely tuned in to the many stimuli in the world around them. That includes everything from physical sensitivity to light and sound, to noticing the emotional cue of others (and feeling emotions strongly yourself) to reflecting more and thinking very deeply. 

It also includes sensitivity to the effects of caffeine. 

In fact, caffeine sensitivity is so prominent among HSPs that it’s actually one of the items assessed on the HSP scale, the test researchers use to determine whether someone qualifies as sensitive. You can take an HSP test here. 

Why does caffeine hit HSPs so hard — and how can you enjoy your morning brew anyway? For the answer, let’s dive into the science of caffeine.

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The Science of Caffeine and Highly Sensitive People 

Coffee can cause anxiety, insomnia, and digestive issues in anyone — even many hours after the effects of the caffeine seem to wear off — and many people experience jitters or a squirrelly mind from even their “normal” daily intake. But for highly sensitive people, these effects are turned up. An HSP might get jitters and a racing mind or pulse even after drinking half-caf or potentially decaf coffee. And the impact on anxiety, which HSPs are already more prone to in some circumstances, can be huge. More than just “crashing,” HSPs may feel downright panicky in the afternoon or evening after drinking coffee in the morning. 

The reason caffeine affects highly sensitive people this way is likely a combination of actually being more physically sensitive to its effects and simply being more aware of the same effects caffeine has on everyone, which most people more easily ignore. Both of these factors can be explained by the way a sensitive person’s brain processes information more deeply — putting more mental resources into picking up every subtle sensation and detail, and responding more to it. 

This can also change with age. People become more sensitive to caffeine as we get older, so your coffee habits from high school or college may produce more unpleasant effects later in life. In other words: if you suddenly have a problem with caffeine when you never did before, you may still be a highly sensitive person (and always were). 

That does not not mean all hope is lost, however. If you would like to get the benefits of caffeine without the jittery side effects, read on for some tips to help you stay both calm and energized.

How to Enjoy Coffee or Caffeine as an HSP — Without the Anxiety

Even as a highly sensitive person, you may be able to enjoy caffeine (or find an equally enjoyable substitute). Here are five ways you can enjoy your morning brew, without the crushing side effects.

1. Take caffeine with food — and make it the right kind of food

If the first thing you reach for when you wake up is a nice, hot cup of black coffee, you may want to reconsider. Evidence suggests that caffeine on an empty stomach can worsen digestive symptoms of acid reflux and IBS, which highly sensitive people may be more likely than others to experience anyway. Starting the day with coffee by itself can cause blood sugar to rise and create jittery sensations for a few hours after consumption. Furthermore, it can increase the stress hormone cortisol – not to dangerous levels, but perhaps enough to cause unnecessary stress. Try having your morning java with a balanced breakfast that includes all three macronutrients. A balance of carbohydrates, fat, and protein can provide the “activation energy” for your day while slowing down the absorption of caffeine and avoiding too much of a shock to your system. (One easy way to get that is with a high-protein yogurt and some not-too-sugary granola, topped with a favorite fruit if you prefer. Salmon lox with a bagel or toast is another, somewhat spendier option.)

2. Try tea instead

There are several differences between people on Team Coffee and those on the opposite tea-m (sorry, couldn’t resist!) and some of them go deeper than you’d expect. That’s because not all caffeine is created equal. When tea is made made with tea leaves from the Camelia sinensis plant — that includes your black tea, green tea, yellow tea, white tea, or oolong tea — it contains a few compounds that are different from those found in coffee. One of those is an amino acid called L-theanine. L-theanine produces alpha waves in the brain, which improve both attention and relaxation. This results in a best-of-both-worlds situation if you want extra energy without the jolt of coffee. (It helps that tea only contains about half the caffeine of coffee, making it gentler cup-for-cup.) 

The science backs up this idea, too. One study showed that, after four weeks of receiving L-theanine, participants experienced fewer stress-related conditions, like anxiety and poor sleep, and greater verbal fluency and executive function. It’s difficult to know exactly how much L-theanine is in your morning mug of Earl Grey, but making the switch from coffee to black or green tea may give you just the boost you need — and no more. 

3. Cut your coffee with more decaf

Many HSPs already drink only half-caf, or try to limit the number of cups they drink — which can be hard if it’s your morning comfort beverage. But if you’re brewing your own coffee at home, you can easily make “one-fourth caf” by using three parts decaf to one part regular. (You can even do less regular than that, depending how sensitive your system is.) This gives you at least some of the “wakeup” properties of regular coffee, but with far less caffeine and fewer side effects. Just make the transition slowly, since if you suddenly go from regular coffee to near-decaf you may experience headaches and grogginess for a few days. 

Need to Calm Your Sensitive Nervous System? 

HSPs often live with high levels of anxiety, sensory overload and stress — and negative emotions can overwhelm us. But what if you could finally feel calm instead?

That’s what you’ll find in this powerful online course by Julie Bjelland, one of the top HSP therapists in the world. You’ll learn to turn off the racing thoughts, end emotional flooding, eliminate sensory overload, and finally make space for your sensitive gifts to shine.

Stop feeling held back and start to feel confident you can handle anything. Check out this “HSP Toolbox” and start making a change today. Click here to learn more.

4. Don’t consume caffeine after…

Well, there’s not really a cut-and-dry answer here. When you can drink caffeine and still expect to sleep that night depends on many factors. Age, metabolic rate, and genetics play a role, and certain drugs, like nicotine or birth control medications, can have an impact too. The average half-life of caffeine is estimated to be 3-7 hours. Your own unique timing may fall anywhere in that range, so it may be helpful to take note of how you feel and how well you sleep after consuming caffeine in the afternoon. As a rule of thumb, some sources recommend cutting off caffeine 6 or even 12 hours before bedtime, and some say a latte at 2 or 3 PM is fine. (I personally can do a late afternoon coffee if I’m particularly tired, but my husband avoids it any time after lunch.) 

There is even some evidence that caffeine can be consumed too early. Upon waking, cortisol levels naturally rise and reach their highest level about 45 minutes later. At the same time, levels of adenosine (a hormone that promotes sleepiness) start out low and then increase. Some experts say that it’s best to wait until an hour or so after you get up to start up your coffee machine. By waiting until the cortisol (a natural stimulant) has started to decline, you can avoid doubling up on brain-stimulating substances when it’s not yet really needed.

Again, the exact timing will be your own. Listen to your body and discover what’s right for you.

5. Try one of these alternatives

If you discover that any amount of caffeine produces anxious feelings and symptoms, then perhaps it’s time to break up with it altogether. Of course, weaning off of caffeine gradually can help to mitigate some of the worst side effects of going cold turkey, like headaches. Decreasing the amount of caffeine one week at a time can be helpful. If you want to kick the coffee habit altogether or if you just don’t like the flavor of decaf coffee or tea, providing yourself with a tasty alternative can help you to stick with your resolution. Try a nice herbal tea (like chamomile) at bedtime, a cold glass of horchata to take the place of your afternoon iced coffee, or rooibos tea (which is naturally caffeine-free) as your go-to hot beverage in the mornings. (I must note here that I am not a real doctor, and I don’t even play one on TV, so definitely talk to yours before making any major diet changes.) 

Whether you like a perfectly timed morning coffee, exploring the world of tea, or enjoying the caffeine-free life, caffeine can be — well, if not your best friend, at least not your sworn enemy. With a bit of dedication and the help of science, you can feed your brain just what it needs for a focused day and restful night.

You Might Like:

• How Being a Highly Sensitive Person Affects Your Body Physically
• 13 Signs You Could Have Chemical Sensitivity as an HSP 
• How to Kick-Start Your Mornings as an HSP

This article contains affiliate links. We only recommend products we truly believe in.

The post How Does Caffeine Affect Highly Sensitive People? appeared first on Sensitive Refuge.

As a highly sensitive person, you probably feel keenly aware of the many stimuli around you as well as you own inner world. This heightened awareness can be a burden at times, but highly sensitive people (HSPs) also have a unique opportunity to leverage that awareness for personal growth. One way to do so is through a deeper understanding your Myers-Briggs personality type — and, specifically, with the Myers-Briggs “cognitive functions” that define each type. 

In this article, I’ll explain what the cognitive functions are, why they have such a big effect on your success and happiness, and how to use them to supercharge yourself as a highly sensitive person.

What Are Cognitive Functions? 

According to the personality theory put forward by Katharine Cook Briggs and Isabel Briggs Myers, there are eight different “cognitive functions,” which can be understood as thought processes that everyone uses to some degree. Everyone uses some of the functions more than others, however, and the specific functions you use most often determine your personality type. This is like the engine under the hood of the Myers-Briggs system.

Cognitive functions are either extroverted or introverted, meaning that they are focused on either the external world or a person’s internal thoughts. (Everyone uses both introverted and extroverted functions, regardless of whether the person is an introvert or extrovert overall.) Some of the functions relate to how you make decisions (by “thinking” and “feeling”), and some relate to how you gather information (“sensing” or “intuition”). 

The eight cognitive functions, then, are as follows: 

• Extroverted Thinking (Te). You can think of this as making decisions by testing ideas in the world and seeing the results, or by going with whatever will be most effective, efficient, or utilitarian. For example, many top CEOs are the ENTJ personality type, which is led by this function. 
• Introverted Thinking (Ti). This function involves making decisions by going with whatever the facts or data suggest is right, following the most accurate method, or using logic to reason out the best solution. Many mathematicians and computer scientists are INTPs, who are led by this function. 
• Extroverted Feeling (Fe). Extroverted feeling means making decisions by whatever will create harmony and peace with others, improve relationships with others, strengthen bonds or be most empathetic and caring. Many diplomats, teachers, and nurses are ENFJs, who lead with this function. 
• Introverted Feeling (Fi). This function means making decisions based on what is most authentic to yourself, what allows you to express your emotions, or how to be truest to your ideals. Many artists are INFPs, who are led by this function. 
• Extroverted Sensing (Se). Extroverted sensing means gathering information by using your body and your five senses to experience it firsthand. It involves not only taking in information through the senses, but interacting physically with things to learn about them. Many athletes and performers are ESFPs, who lead with this function. 
• Introverted Sensing (Si). Introverted sensing means gathering information about the world by trusting what you have experienced before, the knowledge of others who are respected or experienced, the formal rules for how to do something right, and the traditions and norms of the group. Many accountants are ISTJs, who are led by this function. 
• Extroverted Intuition (Ne). Extroverted intuition means gathering information by brainstorming, considering many points of view, theorizing what may be possible, and exploring many different options. Many entrepreneurs are the ENTP personality type, which leads with this function. 
• Introverted Intuition (Ni). You can think of introverted intuition as gathering information by deeply contemplating an issue along with its explanations, finding its connections to other ideas, and reasoning out all of its implications. Many philosophers and scientists are the INTJ personality type, which leads with this function.

Each of the sixteen personality types has a unique set of four main functions that it uses most often, from the first or “dominant” function to the fourth or “inferior” function. For example, the INFJ — one of the more common personality types for HSPs — tends to use Ni (Introverted Intuition) the most, followed by Fe (Extroverted Feeling), Ti (Introverted Thinking), and Se (Extroverted Sensing) as its inferior function — the one it uses only when the others don’t seem to be working. 

Like what you’re reading? Get our newsletter just for HSPs. One email, every Friday. Click here to subscribe!

Your ‘Inferior Function’ Is a Key to Personal Growth

That fourth function is known as the “inferior function” and usually entails a thought process that a person may have difficulty using effectively. We all have those elements of our personalities that seem to present a continual struggle — the skills that we so desperately want to build but have so much difficulty knowing where to begin. 

As a highly sensitive person, these undeveloped traits can be especially distressing, because you likely have a nagging sense that something is not quite right. By understanding which elements of your inner world need growth and how to foster that growth, you can contribute to our own peace and happiness and also your ability to show up for your family, friends, and community. 

HSPs can be any of the sixteen Myers-Briggs personality types, and each one’s inferior function can rear its head in ugly ways when you’re under stress. Developing that function in an intentional, controlled way, however, does not have to be painful. It can even be fun. 

Below are eight actually enjoyable ways to bring out your potential with your inferior function and have a lovely time doing it. None of these activities are overstimulating or difficult to get started in. Luckily, stretching our intrapersonal skills doesn’t mean we need to jump into a moshpit or go clubbing with 200 of our closest friends (phew!).

How to Develop Each of the 8 Cognitive Functions 

Fe (INTPs and ISTPs): Join or start an RPG Group 

Tabletop role-playing games (RPGs) like Dungeons and Dragons have become so much more than the ones your dad played in the 80s. They are a beloved hobby for millions of people, and they can be an enjoyable and low-stakes practice ground for thinking quickly in a group setting. Many tabletop RPGs involve narrating in the moment and reacting to both chance and the other players’ actions. Some systems even have interpersonal communication as a key gameplay element. This focus on group dynamics can be helpful in developing your extroverted feeling. As you play the character you’ve designed, think about how they might feel in a particular situation or how they would act in a way that’s in-character. There’s even an added layer of dynamics with the real-life group members as you all interact with each others’ ideas. 

Ne (ISTJs and ISFJs): Make Something Without Following the Instructions

You’re already great at making things happen; why not try adding a little twist to what you already enjoy to develop your extroverted intuition? If you bake, try a new flavor or substitute some ingredients to see what happens. (It doesn’t matter if it doesn’t “turn out right;” we’re focusing on the journey rather than the destination right now.) Lego aficionados can try building a set but changing something about it. Are you a musician? Play a favorite piece or song with a different tempo, a new instrument, or even a different time signature. (How would “Für Elise” sound in 4/4?) There may be nothing new under the sun, but there are plenty of new ways to combine the things and ideas around us. Once you begin to branch out, there’s no limit to what you can come up with.

Inferior Se (INFJs and INTJs): Volunteer at your Community Garden 

Time to get your hands dirty and grow your extroverted sensing (along with some plants while you’re at it!). Caring for a garden forces you to engage almost daily with the smell of earth, the weight of a watering can in your hand, and the feel of the sun on your back as you pull those ever-present weeds. (If dirty hands or bugs do not sound sensorily fun to you, a pair of quality gardening gloves is a lifesaver – it works for me!) This connection with the outside world can help you to “get out of your head” if you find yourself getting stuck ruminating.  If your town offers community gardening opportunities, that can also be an excellent way to give back to your neighborhood and collaborate with others as an added bonus.

INFP (Inferior Te): Break a Big Project into Bite-sized Goals

You probably have a cool idea floating around up there in your head that you haven’t implemented yet, and you’ll need some extroverted thinking to make it happen. Determine what your goal is and all of the separate tasks that go into that. For example, if you want to record an album, it may entail practicing your instrument daily, setting aside time to brainstorm lyrics, editing or finding someone to edit your work, and learning how to use recording software and equipment. The tasks should be concrete and specific enough that you can look back and be encouraged by your progress. Create a checklist or reminders in your calendar to stay on top of things. When you’re tempted to give up on the little tasks, just remember that they’re all contributing, bit by bit, to making your dream a reality.

Inferior Fi (ENTJs and ESTJs): Keep a Journal

Since extroverted thinking is your dominant function, you may make most of your decisions using logic and facts, which can lead to sound choices but also leave you feeling disconnected from your inner world if your own emotions are not consulted. The practice of journaling can help you stop and identify how your decisions make you feel and whether they line up with your values and who you are. This will in turn feed into your thinking and help you to become even more confident in your choices. The journal can be as organized or as informal as you like; a daily exercise like a color-coded mood tracking chart or simply listing your high point and low point for the day can be a helpful prompt. You may find a neatly ordered journal to be calming and aesthetically pleasing. (Here are the types of journals that work best for HSPs.)

Need to Calm Your Sensitive Nervous System? 

HSPs often live with high levels of anxiety, sensory overload and stress — and negative emotions can overwhelm us. But what if you could finally feel calm instead?

That’s what you’ll find in this powerful online course by Julie Bjelland, one of the top HSP therapists in the world. You’ll learn to turn off the racing thoughts, end emotional flooding, eliminate sensory overload, and finally make space for your sensitive gifts to shine.

Stop feeling held back and start to feel confident you can handle anything. Check out this “HSP Toolbox” and start making a change today. Click here to learn more.

Inferior Ni (ESFPs and ESTPs): Plan Your Next Vacation

Since extroverted sensing is your dominant function, you probably feel keenly aware of your sensory environment, especially as an HSP. You also enjoy living in the present and may not enjoy thinking about the future as much. To increase your awareness of introverted intuition, try making a plan for a fun trip you’d like to take while anticipating what’s likely to happen along the way. (If a whole vacation is not feasible right now, plan a date or a girls’/guys’ night out in your city.) For example, does the traffic on the way to the beach usually back up on Saturday evenings? Set your departure time for mid-morning. Is there a certain restaurant you want to try? Look it up ahead of time to see when it’s most crowded or whether they take reservations. When you get to your destination, you and your fellow vacationers will be able to enjoy the moment all the more knowing that you’re prepared for any potential hiccups.

For extra Ni bonus points: bring along some detective stories to read on the beach (or wherever) and enjoy picking out patterns and solving crimes with characters like Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes or Chesterton’s Father Brown.

Inferior Si (ENFPs and ENTPs): Do Something You Haven’t Done in a Long Time

Your dominant function (extroverted intuition) can be a powerful, visionary tool, but sometimes you can become so focused on future possibilities that you forget how you got to the place where you are now. Try picking up an old hobby (especially if it’s something memory-related like scrapbooking!), taking a walk in a neighborhood you used to live in, or listening to an album that got you through a rough time a few years ago. Giving yourself a tangible reminder of the past can help to ground you and remind you of the experiences that have made you who you are today. And that, in turn, provides you with a secure base from which to build your next dream or scheme.

Inferior Ti (ESFJs and ENFJs): Read Up on a Topic that Interests You

Your preferred decision-making process, Fe, is often based on the feelings of others — but that doesn’t mean you don’t have a great capacity for knowledge to add to your mental toolkit. Introverted thinking has to do with how facts fit into your own personal knowledge framework, so learning about something that involves systems or interconnectedness can help you to bring out this trait in yourself. Learning a language is one activity that can help. The grammar and vocabulary all fit together into a system that makes sense within itself and fosters communication. Studying sociology or psychology may also interest you, since it uses theory and research to provide insight into human behavior and emotions.

Often, strengthening your inferior function doesn’t just open you up to an unexplored side of yourself, although that’s certainly a worthy goal. It strengthens and informs your more dominant traits too, leaving you more in tune with yourself, the outside world, and your friends and loved ones. So have fun discovering something new and finding out how delightful personality growth can be! 

You Might Like:

• This Is What Each MBTI Personality Type Looks Like as an HSP 
• How Sensitive Is Each Myers-Briggs Personality Type? 
• How Being a Highly Sensitive Person Affects Your Body Physically

This article contains affiliate links. We only recommend products we truly believe in.

The post How to Use Myers-Briggs to Supercharge Your Growth as an HSP appeared first on Sensitive Refuge.