Are you a sensitive person? Maybe it’s time to find out. 

If other people’s moods and or their pain and suffering affect you deeply, or watching violent films, or seeing others in distress, and if you need time to process these things or find yourself actively avoiding these situations, then the answer is YES. 

If you tick just some or all of these boxes, you can take comfort in the fact that you are also a good person, because your nervous system is more sensitive than that of others. You can also find comfort in the fact that you are a member of the 15% to 20% of the population that also experience these feelings and emotions. 

When you’re in a busy environment, do you feel the need to withdraw and be alone, or seek relief from the hustle and bustle of those surroundings? Again, you’re perfectly normal. Dealing with the overload of modern society is a result of only the last 200 years of population explosion and the rapid technological development of society. 

Worse… because we are now overloaded with too many things at once, we quickly become overwhelmed by the demands of others. 

You can also take comfort in he fact that most people dislike rapid change and the pressure it brings.  

It’s understandable that when you’re asked to compete with others, your nervous system goes into overdrive, and then along come all the symptoms of stress — worry, increased heart rate, physical feelings such as palpitations and perspiration, mental distraction, to name but a few.

 Whatever happens, don’t think you are flawed in any way — even though it’s common for sensitive people to feel that way. 

But there are some positive aspects of being highly sensitive! 

First, you are very likely to be highly conscientious and able to concentrate deeply. You are also likely to be especially good at tasks that demand accuracy. In fact you are likely to also be something of a perfectionist. 

And… you are more likely to be able to process information at a much deeper level — a sign of intelligence in itself! Above all, you are likely to benefit from the ability to reflect on your own thinking and experience and develop a greater sense of self-awareness.