Highly Sensitive & Intuitive People Feel Actual Joy When They Get To Do These 8 Things
Dmytro Buianskyi | Shutterstock While many assume that sensitive and intuitive people only feel pain more deeply, it’s far from true. They experience emotions differently than the average person, and that includes joy.
Sensitive people may experience joy on a deeper level than the average person. They may find happiness in things other people would find silly, but it’s the little things that keep them going. Being a sensitive, intuitive person is a gift. They may not feel comfortable opening up to everyone, but when they do, the things that make them truly happy become contagious.
Little things that make sensitive and intuitive people feel actual joy:
1. Spending time alone
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Highly sensitive people enjoy spending time alone. Often, constantly being on the move can overwhelm them. They need time to relax and reset after moments of overstimulation. While some view spending time alone negatively, this type of person never feels lonely when they have time to themselves.
When too much is going on around them, they need time to de-stress. Just because they are overly stimulated doesn’t mean they don’t enjoy the world around them. They just need time to be alone in a quiet environment to recoup. Then, they can move on to the next thing.
2. Connecting with someone they trust
Highly sensitive people can struggle in relationships. People can take advantage of their kindness to get what they want. This often drains them and disrupts their ability to regulate their emotions. They don’t want to let other people down and struggle with boundaries.
However, when they find someone they trust, connecting with them can be something they love. When people make them feel accepted for who they are, they can freely open up about their feelings without embarrassment. It can be difficult to be vulnerable because they fear they will be judged. Having someone they can connect with on an emotional level brings them joy. They prioritize these connections.
3. Spending time in nature
It makes sense that someone who thrives in quiet environments would enjoy spending time in nature. Being outdoors may bring them comfort and help them process their emotions better. We’ve all heard someone say they had to take a walk to clear their heads. This is a practice highly sensitive people often have.
A study found that connecting with nature is important for the well-being of highly sensitive and intuitive people. It discovered that this type of person feels an emotional pull to the outdoors and animals. They use time in nature to improve their quality of life.
4. Helping someone in need
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Sensitive people are more likely to pick up on the feelings of others around them. Their nervous systems are attuned to others, which can cause them to feel deeply for the people in their lives. They may feel like they have to help everyone around them. Rescuing people can bring a feeling of joy and appreciation that fulfills their needs.
Have you ever been down in the dumps and had the people around you become annoyed by it? It never feels good to feel like a burden to those around you. Sensitive people can pick up on how you're feeling and may offer help from the kindness of their hearts. Helping people brings them happiness.
5. Losing track of time when feeling creative
It can be difficult for people to lose themselves in something these days. Often glued to our phones, we have stopped caring as much about our hobbies. In fact, a study found that social media is a constant distraction that is negatively impacting our ability to focus. Instead, we are looking at our phones every chance we get, especially if we rely on them for our work and social lives.
Sensitive people are known to be highly creative. They are more creative because of multiple traits they possess. They are open-minded and focused, which can lead them to spend hours upon hours doing something creative without realizing how much time they’ve spent.
6. Quietly observing what’s around them
I’ve had moments when I’d rather take in the world around me than have a conversation with someone else. We often call this people-watching, but for intuitive individuals, their observations are more than just judging those around them. They are more likely to feel the emotions of those around them, and they might need a quiet space to take it all in.
Sensitive people may find that those in their orbit do not share the same mindset. Sensitive people make up 15-30% of the population, so it can be hard to fit in. Instead, they may choose to observe what’s around them and not be an active participant.
7. Letting themselves marinate in their emotions
Sensitive people are not likely to take things lightly. They are empathetic, making them feel more intensely than the average person. This can cause them to become easily overwhelmed by the world around them. They need time to reflect, and often feel they can only do so when alone.
While some people fear spending time with their own emotions (me, I am this person), sensitive people want to think them through thoroughly. It’s called depth-processing. They look at every emotion, trying to gauge what makes them happy, what doesn’t, and what it all means at the end of the day. After reflecting, they can react with a clearer mind.
8. Reading, writing, and other quiet hobbies
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Quiet hobbies are special for highly sensitive and intuitive people. It gives them time to disconnect from the world around them. While some may prefer to go out with friends, they love a chance to read or write during the evening. We live in a busy world, and it can be hard for people to sit down and relax with a book, but these people know how it helps their mental health.
A study found that engaging in enjoyable leisure activities, like reading or writing, was associated with better psychological and physiological functioning. They allow us moments of calm, which reduce stress. Stress affects our entire body, from our mind to our muscles, so having an outlet to relieve it works perfectly for sensitive folk.
Haley Van Horn is a freelance writer with a master’s degree in Humanities, living in Los Angeles. Her focus includes entertainment and lifestyle stories.
