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How to Handle an HSP
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      They enter a room - people, sounds, and scents swamp the HSP; people get too close, the music thumps, the perfume overpowers. They process it all and within an hour the sensations wear them out – this is the Highly Sensitive Person.
      At first blush it appears a strange topic for marriage coaching, but if you are married to one, understanding HSPs is a must.  Here are a few tips for living with an HSP spouse, child, or loved one.
     Beware of throwing too much information at an HSP.  They process more than you think and tire quickly.  Give him/her bite sized chunks – and ask them to define a bite sized chunk.

     Protect
your HSP spouse.  They wear out at parties and struggle with small talk, so stick with them for a while.  The description in paragraph one happens each time they enter a new situation, especially a party.  Laura sticks with me (I'm an HSP) at a party until I feel comfortable.  And before hand we communicate about departure, I tire in half the time as she.
     Discuss
new things.  HSPs dislike surprises, so if you want to spring a new restaurant for his birthday, don't; talk it out in advance. To an HSP surprise is not an adventure but an enervating task; while a new restaurant may invigorate you, it fatigues the HSP.
     Oasis
. HSPs needs a quiet place to recharge; help your spouse find one.  During a loud family gathering allow her to get away to recoup even for five minutes.  Often at a birthday party I will duck out to the backyard or kitchen to pace myself.
     HSPs are normal people, they just process information a non-HSP blocks out. They tire quickly.  If your spouse complains about feeling overwhelmed, see if they are an HSP.  Every sight, sound, smell, even humidity and temperature get processed.  So when you do something with your HSP spouse consider their situation. 
     The up side is that they can sense problems and use compassion. Click here for the test.  Purchase: The Highly Sensitive Person  Read the review
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