164 Lifehacks for the Highly Sensitive: Your Guide to a Simpler Life - Softcover

Van De Voorde, Severine

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1963367618 ISBN 13: 9781963367614

Publisher: Future Horizons, 2026

Synopsis

Real Life Lifehacks for the Highly Sensitive

The term high sensitivity refers to a complete set of traits seen in the behavior of a highly sensitive person (HSP), such as being especially empathetic, having a keen eye for detail and the bigger picture, and being creative and intuitive. It is present in 15 to 20% of the population. There are just as many extremely sensitive men as women. Being highly sensitive is a valuable characteristic. The world needs people who are empathetic, self-aware, and have the ability to think deeply and critically.

Unfortunately, each of these qualities can become a pitfall when taken to extremes. Self-reflection can turn into self-criticism, deep thinking into worrying, empathy into absorbing others' emotions, and helpfulness into rescuing others.

Lifehacks for the Highly Sensitive addresses 20 main challenges people face when they are an HSP. For each challenge, there are effective tips that make life easier. Some of these include:

• Learning how not to fear rejection
• Overcoming unhealthy perfectionism
• Taming your galloping brain
• Regulating your emotions
• And much more!

About this title

About the Author

Severine Van De Voorde, PsyD is a clinical psychologist, burnout coach, and expert in high sensitivity and ADHD. She has spent over 10 years studying neuropsychology, and her research has appeared in leading scientific journals.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

(not final version)

ABSORBING NEGATIVITY

Because as an HSP you are especially good at picking up subtle signals, you also run the risk of absorbing other people’s emotions. These are transmitted through tone of voice, facial expressions, body posture, and choice of words. You may suddenly feel sad, afraid, or frustrated for no clear reason. The atmosphere in a room or group can also have a strong impact on you.

The advantage of this trait is that you can attune very well to your conversation partner and help calm others through your own presence. You sense what is needed in a group and can say or do the right things. This only works if you have learned to stay well connected to yourself and not take on other people’s emotions.

Focus on your breathing to stay grounded in yourself.

Adopt a strong body posture, with your feet hip-width apart.

Protect yourself from others’ emotions or the atmosphere by imagining a protective shield around you (a bubble, a cloak, a beam of light, etc.).

Wear headphones or create visual barriers (e.g. a desk screen) if negativity in your workspace affects you.

If an emotion suddenly overtakes you, ask yourself whether it could realistically be yours given the situation. If the answer is no, give it back to the other person. Say silently: “This belongs to you, and I’m giving it back,” while making an imagined pushing-away motion with your hands.

Literally shake other people’s emotions out of your body, like a dog shaking itself dry.

In your imagination, rinse other people’s emotions off you, as if you were standing under a shower.

Take an actual shower. If you take a bath, rinse off first so you’re not soaking in other people’s emotions.

Edition details

• Publisher: Future Horizons
• Publication date: 2026
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1963367618
• ISBN 13: 9781963367614
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 100