THE SENSITIVE TRAIT – PHYSICAL SENSITIVITY

People with the sensitive trait can tend to be more physically sensitive than others.

For example, if they eat food that isn’t wholesome or prepared with clean ingredients, then they can get a stomach ache; someone eating the exact same food out of the same serving bowl won’t notice a physical symptom at all.

One of my experiences: if I indulge in a small popcorn without butter at the movie theatre, something in the popcorn will elevate my heart rate shortly after I eat. And of course, I can feel it without trying because I’m sensitive. My husband can eat from the same container, and does not have that symptom. At that moment, I used to think “Why Me?” or “This Sucks” or “This isn’t Fair!” or “Can’t I just enjoy a little popcorn for once!” These statements criticize my sensitivity and don’t support it. See my most recent blog on this topic for ideas on how to handle it if you find yourself doing the same thing.

How have I changed? Now I say, “Hmmm. Here is a new symptom. Some information. What is happening and why?” So I will note it, then head home after the movie to look up the typical ingredients in popcorn. And I see monosodium glutamate (MSG) listed among the ingredients.

When I research the symptoms that MSG may cause, I see elevated heartrate about 20 minutes after.

Now I am grateful. Why? I’m grateful that Google exists and I can easily research information, which is power. I now know that the elevated heartrate is providing me information about what I ate. And that is power. I see that the MSG puts a stress on my body that I am not so sure I want to have. Now I have a choice. I can continue to get that popcorn and let myself have these symptoms, which aren’t very comfortable, and I’m essentially ignoring my body. I can try having some extra minerals before I go to the movie, buy the popcorn, and see if it still affects me the same way. I can bring my own homemade popcorn loaded with natural sea salt and farm-made butter so that I am getting good minerals and fat as a snack. I can make another concession stand choice and see how that goes. I can choose to not buy anything at the theatre, which helps my wallet and my weight. I’m sure that you can also come up with some more options.

So how do we effectively deal with our increased physical sensitivity and thrive along with it? There are many habits we can incorporate into our lifestyles:

• Listen to our bodies and support what they are telling us
• Eat wholesome, whole foods that we know where they came from and what is in them
• Mineralize daily to make sure our bodies are well grounded
• Choose anything we put into our bodies wisely; that means from the water we drink to the prescriptions and supplements we take, and to the food and snacks we indulge in
• Exercise consistently in ways that are joyful and fun
• Meditate regularly in joyful ways
• Do or seek out energy work or clearing practices to shore up our senses
• Affirm who we are and tune into our emotional guidance systems
• Pay attention to our environments and understand how we handle the situations surrounding us; tweak as needed
• Work with health practitioners who “get” us and offer solutions we feel work the best for us
• Use biofeedback to understand our bodies more deeply
• Know our genetics so that we can ensure our lifestyle is not turning on genes we don’t want to use

As you see, there are many steps we can take to support our sensitive natures.

​It’s time to begin carving out a lifestyle that works to put you in your happy place, everyday. My next several blogs will look one-by-one at the bulleted list above to give you general ideas and thoughts.

Until next time, Be Kind to Yourself.
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