27 August 2010

The Highly Sensitive Person


Sure, I already have a lot of books in my reading
 collection but there's always room for one more right?


The Highly Sensitive Person by Elaine N. Aron really appealed to me. 
According to Aron, its estimated that 5-20% of the population is classified as Highly 
SensitiveOn her site you can take an online quiz to see the traits of this sub-type of 
personality. 'HSP' have a reactive and sensitive nervous system as well as
 being very in tune to their intuition and the world around themNoises, sensations, sounds etc. impact them with greater intensity than a non-sensitive person

If you haven't heard about this book, I highly recommend you look into it. The
tools inside are helping me deal with my sensitivity and puts a lot of symptoms in 
perspective. Elaine wanted to understand why some people are shy,  
sensitive and reactive; where certain everyday situations negatively 
affect them, yet 80-95% have little to no reaction to the same events and scenarios


With Blue Diamond Crunchy Almond Butter in hand,
 it's time to whip out some Fig Scuffins for breakfast...


I toasted them in the oven before adding Almond Butter 


With a sliced Banana on the side


Even i'm impressed with how tasty they turned out!!!


If you want to try Scuffins, I seriously recommend you try my recipe. 
They're super moist, low in fat, low in sugar, and chalk full of fiber :)


Questions: Are you hyper-sensitive to noises,
 smells, emotions etc. in your environment?

Do you tend to avoid certain places or 
situations that just don't feel right to you?

54 comments:

Heather (Where's the Beach) said... [reply]

Girl I am totally hyper-sensitive. I have always been that way. My poor niece is the same way God love her. Things that no one else even notices can send me climbing the walls. I feel sorry for my poor hubby sometimes (just sometimes). And I do avoid places or situations if I don't they don't seem right or feel wrong.

mariposai said... [reply]

I've read the HSP. It has helped me make better sense of who I am, and it has enabled me to see being sensitive as a positive thing, that can help me, rather than a flaw.

x

Sarena Shasteen - The Non-Dairy Queen said... [reply]

The scuffins look so yummy! I find books like that fascinating! People are so interesting. I don't know if I am hyper-sensitive, well, maybe smells. I don't think I avoid those places, but I limit them!

Kelly said... [reply]

First off, i saw your comment on miss brittany's blog and I think no one should ever have to give up stinky cheese. And second, yup. I'm definitely hyper sensitive, but like Heather I've found ways to turn it into a good thing and manage it when its not.

Kelly said... [reply]

Oh and I took the quiz and apparently I am as well.

alex said... [reply]

I think all girls are overly sensitive ;) I should probably read that book...I have shy issues that need to be taken care of asap.

I avoid meeting new people at ALL costs. It makes me extremely EXTREMELY uncomfortable!

Katie said... [reply]

I've picked up that almond butter so many times, but I always end up putting it back on the shelf! Maybe now that I've emptied almost 3 jars this week I can justify buying a new one.

Kristy Sayer-Jones @ Southern In Law said... [reply]

This book sounds really interesting!
I used to be alot more sensitive than I am now, but I learnt how to get past it and not let it stop me from doing things.

Anonymous said... [reply]

I don't think I'm hyper sensitive. The time I'm sensitive to smell is if I go into Lush or the Body Shop.....or walk by Abercrombie and Fitch. Those places seriously make me dizzy with all their smells!!!

Those scuffins do look delish! I love that you toasted them! I'm going to have to pick up some of that almond butter when I'm at the store. I love how crunchy it looks!!!

Crystal said... [reply]

I wouldn't consider myself hyper-sensitive because I don't notice subtle things in my surroundings that often, but I am sensitive to chaos, loud noise, a lot going on, large crowds, etc. I actually find it exhausting to be out with a lot of people for an extended period of time and love when I can get home and just be by myself, in the quiet.

I almost bought some figs today! But I didn't. My try at the scuffins will have to wait.

Samantha said... [reply]

I don't know if I am hypersensitive, but smells really get to me and give me headaches. Stuff like lotion and perfume and what not.

hbobier said... [reply]

That book looks so interesting! I don't think I'm hypersensitive...but you bet your buns I'm going to take the online quiz right now.

Also, should you find yourself with extra scuffins, please send them to Minnesota ASAP. K Thanks.

Laury@The Fitness Dish said... [reply]

Great, Kelsey....you added yet ANOTHER book to my wish list, LOL. I definitely need to look into this. I am highly sensitive to noise, certain smells and I DEFINITELY avoid places when I have a bad vibe or feeling...I am also very shy.

Emily said... [reply]

I can be super shy sometimes and not want to go out, but thats probably because i'm an introvert.

those scuffins look ammmazing!!

xoxo

Meagan said... [reply]

Kelsey, what delicious looking almond butter you have!

Claudia said... [reply]

I took the test and I scored a 18 so I'm definitely hyper sensitive. I wonder if it has any relation to being an introvert because I'm definitely one, too. That scruffin + almond butter = fantastic morning

Anonymous said... [reply]

that is some serious almond butter! love how chunky it is, and of course i love your scuffins :)
according to the quiz, i am highly sensitive...and i'm pretty surprised only 5% of people are considered as such! it definitely looks/sounds like a very interesting book, though.

Tatianna said... [reply]

I definitely avoid places or people that 'just don't feel right' to me... and I am pretty sensitive to everything around me. That book sounds really interesting!

<3 Tat

Anonymous said... [reply]

i am totally super sensitive - emotionally and sensory wise. I cannot stand loud noises and being at concerts (while I like them) I just really feel weird.

SheFit said... [reply]

I definitely avoid places that don't seem right to me. The second something seems off I'm usually out of there... that meaning I'm in danger or something bad could happen

Anonymous said... [reply]

There's always room for more books. I'm an empath, which I suppose is a type of sensitivity, but I think different from what you're feeling. If people are negative or are just having a bad day, I'll find myself avoiding them, even if I really should be comforting them, just because it affects me horribly. I've been known to avoid (good) friends because they've had things happen and are very upset and I will literally FEEL what they feel. It's weird, I think.

Monet said... [reply]

I saw this book at the bookstore last month and spent an hour perusing it. I very much identify with this type of person, and I need to pick up the book so I can have it on my shelf. Thanks for the reminder!

lequan@luvtoeat said... [reply]

I'm super sensitive to smoke. Can't stand the smell and my eyes get really irritated. I try to stay away from smoking places.

Holy, that is some chuncky almond butter. Never seen that brand before. And your scuffing DO look great. Have a lovely weekend Kelsey.

lequan@luvtoeat said... [reply]

scuffing=scuffins

Anonymous said... [reply]

I'm not a highly sensitive person but I feel like my intuition is pretty strong. The only problem is.. I don't do a very good job of listening to it because I always doubt.

I want to try your scuffin recipe!

Jolene - EverydayFoodie said... [reply]

I feel like I am hyper sensitive ... I am going to do the quiz now to find out!!!

Karin said... [reply]

5% sounds like a lot! These days it feels like those people are often being ignored.. you just have to "get over it" and toughen up - which is so not right!

Anonymous said... [reply]

Ahhh Kelsey, once again thank u for sharing :) my mom forwarded me this email on the above mentioned topic. Her words were something like: oh look, in the end you´re not a freak - it´s an illness! Oh well,.... thanks mom *lol* it´s cool to see, that there are others who feel like me! BTW ur scuffin looks to die for OMG I wanna bite into it :)

xoxo Mel

Anonymous said... [reply]

Thank for sharing this. I'm 100% a HSP. It's can real pain in the ass to say the least. I even annoy my own self with it sometimes. Everything I eat affects me, everyone around me affecs me, every. single. little. tiny. thing. in my enviroment just affects me! I can't be around certain people, I can't handle large groups or a messy enviroment. I pick up on things that people would just think I am craaazzzy for. I guess it can be a good (only when I am 100% in tune -like doing and eating just *exactly* what I need, then I tend to shock myself with how productive and on point I can be) but it's also bad because very small things can throw my off my rockers, and sometimes I think I let my imagination run away with me ...like I am connecting dots that aren't there, causing me to get all paranoid!

Once you get perfectly in tune though the important thing is to just stay that way. Falling off can be a disaster and getting back is tough!

Chelsea said... [reply]

I buy the Blue Diamond creamy AB, but I've never tried the crunchy stuff. It looks so good and chunky!!

I'm hyper sensitive only to some things such as perfume. I can't really wear or be around certain perfumes because it gives me such a headache!

Joanne said... [reply]

Hmm I am going to check out this site. I would like to know if I am an HSP. God those scuffins look good.

Anonymous said... [reply]

That book is def up my alley. I don't know if I am HSP, but everything around me affects me, I can't stand to be in certain places, certain people affect me negatively just with their presence, etc.

I will def check out this book. Thanks for the recommendation.

Anonymous said... [reply]

I don't know that I'm highly sensitive, but I'm definitely sensitive to some degree. I'm a pretty jumpy person, and have a very low tolerance to pain, in that I notice even the slightest problems. Hmm...maybe I am highly sensitive. (I tried the online quiz that says I am, but I'm often skeptical of online quizzes like that.) Thanks for sharing the book; I plan to read it sometime.

Anonymous said... [reply]

i'm highly sensitive to smells. i can smell garlic in food, on people etc haha

i do tend to avoid situations that don't feel "right" or more importantly if i am in a situation and it doesn't feel right, i change it by leaving or trying to make something better of my current status

shesarunner said... [reply]

Hey love,
I'm so happy to hear that you got the book and that you and your mom are benefitting from it! That is great! I know I was so happy to discover Elaine's research because I always felt like my sensitivity meant there was something inherently wrong with me, that I was totally strange, and I was so misunderstood. Really, I am quite normal, we all are...I have found that a lot of bloggers tend to be HSPs and I think that makes sense. A lot of food bloggers are obviously "foodies" and they love good food and consider it an art form, which is a trait of an HSP. Also, people who like to write and document their lives, people who feel things very deeply, and people who interact well with others might be HSPs and people who blog also tend to have those traits...I find the whole thing very interesting. Anyway, I find it really helpful to know that I'm not so weird and not so alone and I hope you do too.
PS: I'm loving your figgy food porn!
xoxo

Chef Dennis Littley said... [reply]

your scuffins do look delicious! I'm glad to hear your book is helping you, sometimes we really need to accept that there is something that can be fixed....It just not always easy to get to that step....we all go thru it though, even if some won't admit it. Have a happy restful weekend!

Anonymous said... [reply]

My issues with hypersensitivity is where I got my name (sensory defensive) from. I think I wrote a little about it in one of my first posts. My main issues are with noise and lighting.

Ever since I was a kid I haven't been able to tolerate overhead lighting especially when the light is more yellow than white. I also have to avoid west facing rooms in the late afternoon, because the yellowish lighting of the sun give me nausea, headaches, and worst of all depression (same goes with the overhead lighting).

With noise I just carry earplugs around at all times. When I was little I would have nightmares of loud noises. I would curl up in the fetal position holding my ears if my mom was vacuuming downstairs on the other end of the house. Loudness makes my heart race. My brother used to do "screamo" singing, and he loved to amuse himself by screaming until I was simultaneously bawling and hyperventilating.

So yeah. No bueno.

Unknown said... [reply]

that book seems VERY interesting. Let us know how it is. ANd your scuffins are seriously lookin to good to be true. Like I said before, I see a snackin squirrel scuffin making business in your future! ;)

Averie @ Averie Cooks said... [reply]

I am guessing that you saw this on lauren's site who got it from me :)

yes, this book was my recommendation to her and i could write a bible about it all. let's just say that yes, HSP is my middle name :)

Anonymous said... [reply]

That book, along with a piece on eneagrams, definitely changed how I perceived my character. Instead of beating myself up for failing to to live up to societal norms, I started to believe that I wasn't flawed; that's not to say I'm not aware of and working on HSP triggers, but I feel much better knowing that there are other folks out there that fit the same bill!

Angela (the diet book junkie) said... [reply]

that book sounds really interesting. i probably wouldn't be classified as a highly sensitive person, but i'm sure there are areas i could work on. (i can definitely be shy if i allow myself to be.) i need to find bran flour so i can make your recipe! it looks so good!

lynn @ the actors diet said... [reply]

question about the fig scuffins - do they taste super fig-y?

Anonymous said... [reply]

I'm still loving these scuffins! Thanks for the book recommendation :)

Justine said... [reply]

I hope that I can make time to make those this weekend!

I am loveing how chunky that almond butter looks! I have never seen it look so chunky before. I hope you're having a fantastic weekend. :)

Anonymous said... [reply]

I am probably too hypersensitive for my own good... or so my mom always tells me. :p

That almond butter looks BEYOND crunchy!!

<3 <3

Anonymous said... [reply]

I've always known that I was kind of overly sensitive, but I took the test and only didn't select 4! Thanks for the book recommendation; I should pick it up considering that it's sometimes hard for me to navigate a world made of 95% non-HS people!

And I may just try your scuffin recipe this morning! :)

Kiki said... [reply]

Sorry, the above commenter was me! I don't know why it listed me as anonymous.. weird!

Anonymous said... [reply]

i am very sensative to smells in particular. in new social situations i tend to be more outgoing than normal. especially ones that may be a bit awkward. i kind of see it as my job to help everyone feel welcome. so maybe that makes me the opposite of sensative?!

scruffins look amazing! i love the pic of the ab jar too. it took me awhile to figure out what it was!

Amanda said... [reply]

This looks delicious! And your pictures are so clear!

Anonymous said... [reply]

I love that book, it has helped me quite a bit! I'm glad that you were able to get something out of it too (:
The fig scuffins look beyond amazing! xxxx

Lauren @ Health on the Run said... [reply]

This is really interesting!! I've never heard of the book, or even the classification, but it does make me think. Not sure if I meet all the qualifications for a HSP, but I know there are definitely things I'm more sensitive to than the average person. Now I'm really curious, and will definitely be looking into it!!

Also, your fig scuffins really do look amazing. If I ever remember to buy figs, I will definitely be trying them! :)

Missy said... [reply]

That book looks really interesting!

I just got the creamy almond butter from Blue Diamond when WF was out of fresh ground...now I regret it...because that is the most crunch-a-luscious jar I have ever seen! Wow. That's some serious crunch!
~Missy

Krista said... [reply]

I wouldn't think myself hyper sensitive, but I do trust my gut when it's telling me that something is not right!

I love that photo of the almond butter....and I don't even like that brand! LOL :)

Elaine @ Om Sweet Om said... [reply]

i LOVE blue diamond's almond butter too! 100% almonds and sooooo crunchy!

Post a Comment