Stress Management for Highly Sensitive People (HSP): Inner Work and Strategies for Coping with Stress, Overwhelm, and Negative Emotions

So many people discover they're HSPs later in life. This quick free test helps you understand yourself. Are you a Highly Sensitive Person under stress? Find out—take the free test at https://trueinnerfreedom.com/program/ If you're a highly sensitive person who constantly questions your own needs, this episode may reveal a truth you've been avoiding — that your self-doubt is quietly draining your confidence. In a world that praises stoicism and "going with the flow," highly sensitive people often suppress their needs just to keep the peace. But what if your sensitivity isn't a flaw — it's your strength? In this episode of Self-Compassion Wednesdays, you'll explore how ignoring your needs creates internal stress and learn how to reclaim your self-trust without feeling dramatic or high-maintenance. What you'll walk away with: A deep understanding of how self-suppression erodes your confidence as an HSP A mindset shift that reframes your needs as wisdom, not weakness Practical ways to stop apologizing and start honoring your nervous system Listen now and start building a life that supports who you truly are — instead of shrinking yourself to fit into someone else's comfort zone.   Todd Smith, founder of True Inner Freedom Dreaming of a stress-free, balanced life? Visit trueinnerfreedom.com and complete the HSP Stress Survey. Gain clarity on your stress triggers and enjoy a free 15-minute Inner Freedom Call designed to guide you toward lasting inner peace and fulfillment. Are you a highly sensitive person (HSP) or someone who identifies as hypersensitive or neurodivergent? This podcast is dedicated to helping highly sensitive people (HSPs) navigate overwhelm and stress by using The Work of Byron Katie—a powerful method for questioning stressful thoughts and finding true inner freedom. We dive deep into stress management strategies, coping with stress, and stress relief methods specifically tailored for HSPs. Learn how to manage emotions, especially negative ones, and explore effective stress reduction techniques that go beyond the surface to address the root causes of anxiety and pressure. Whether you're interested in learning how to lower stress, handle stress and pressure, or reduce stress through practical techniques, we provide insights and support based on The Work of Byron Katie. Discover how this transformative approach can help you decrease stress, find inner peace, and create balance in your life. Join us to learn about various coping strategies for stress, all designed to support HSPs in their journey toward emotional well-being.

So many people discover they're HSPs later in life. This quick free test helps you understand yourself. https://trueinnerfreedom.com/hsp-stress-test/ Ever wonder why your New Year's resolutions feel overwhelming just days into January—even when you're genuinely excited about them? If you're a highly sensitive person (HSP), traditional goal-setting approaches might be doing more harm than good. While everyone else is charging into the new year, you might already be feeling drained, second-guessing your plans, or wondering why you can't keep up. It's not you—it's the pressure, urgency, and misalignment baked into how we're taught to plan. Uncover the hidden societal and emotional pressures that make resolutions especially stressful for HSPs. Learn a gentler, more sustainable approach to planning that supports your nervous system and honors your natural rhythms. Discover how to shift from urgency and perfectionism to alignment and clarity—with one grounded next step. Press play to discover how to start your year with more balance, inner trust, and ease as a highly sensitive person.   Todd Smith, founder of True Inner Freedom Dreaming of a stress-free, balanced life? Visit trueinnerfreedom.com and complete the HSP Stress Survey. Gain clarity on your stress triggers and enjoy a free 15-minute Inner Freedom Call designed to guide you toward lasting inner peace and fulfillment. Are you a highly sensitive person (HSP) or someone who identifies as hypersensitive or neurodivergent? This podcast is dedicated to helping highly sensitive people (HSPs) navigate overwhelm and stress by using The Work of Byron Katie—a powerful method for questioning stressful thoughts and finding true inner freedom. We dive deep into stress management strategies, coping with stress, and stress relief methods specifically tailored for HSPs. Learn how to manage emotions, especially negative ones, and explore effective stress reduction techniques that go beyond the surface to address the root causes of anxiety and pressure. Whether you're interested in learning how to lower stress, handle stress and pressure, or reduce stress through practical techniques, we provide insights and support based on The Work of Byron Katie. Discover how this transformative approach can help you decrease stress, find inner peace, and create balance in your life. Join us to learn about various coping strategies for stress, all designed to support HSPs in their journey toward emotional well-being.

Get the Criticism Unhook Journal, a simple 4‑question reset to help HSPs regain clarity and calm after criticism lands hard. https://trueinnerfreedom.com/perfectionism-unhook-journal/ (Note, the link above will work even though I said it wrong in the episode.) If just one comment can spiral you into self-doubt, shame, or perfectionism—this episode will change how you see criticism forever. As a Highly Sensitive Person, it's not just the content of feedback that stings—it's what it threatens inside you. In this episode, Todd Smith dives into the unseen identity traps HSPs fall into when they feel criticized, and how these hidden patterns sabotage confidence, creativity, and emotional freedom. If you're tired of shrinking under scrutiny, this episode offers a grounded, healing perspective that will help you reclaim your inner stability. Here's what you'll take away: Why even gentle feedback can trigger shame or perfectionism in HSPs. The hidden identity you're trying to protect—and how it keeps you stuck. A powerful mindset shift that helps you receive criticism without collapsing inside. Press play now to break free from the fear of judgment and finally feel safe to be imperfect.   Todd Smith, founder of True Inner Freedom Dreaming of a stress-free, balanced life? Visit trueinnerfreedom.com and complete the HSP Stress Survey. Gain clarity on your stress triggers and enjoy a free 15-minute Inner Freedom Call designed to guide you toward lasting inner peace and fulfillment. Are you a highly sensitive person (HSP) or someone who identifies as hypersensitive or neurodivergent? This podcast is dedicated to helping highly sensitive people (HSPs) navigate overwhelm and stress by using The Work of Byron Katie—a powerful method for questioning stressful thoughts and finding true inner freedom. We dive deep into stress management strategies, coping with stress, and stress relief methods specifically tailored for HSPs. Learn how to manage emotions, especially negative ones, and explore effective stress reduction techniques that go beyond the surface to address the root causes of anxiety and pressure. Whether you're interested in learning how to lower stress, handle stress and pressure, or reduce stress through practical techniques, we provide insights and support based on The Work of Byron Katie. Discover how this transformative approach can help you decrease stress, find inner peace, and create balance in your life. Join us to learn about various coping strategies for stress, all designed to support HSPs in their journey toward emotional well-being.

Are you a Highly Sensitive Person under stress? Find out—take the free test at Add Lead Magnet Link to top of show notes: https://trueinnerfreedom.com/hsp-stress-test/   Do you ever feel guilty for resting, constantly attune to others' moods, or find yourself apologizing for simply having needs? As we look ahead to 2026, now is the perfect time for highly sensitive people to stop carrying what no longer serves them—and start choosing themselves. In this powerful Self-Compassion Wednesday episode, Todd Smith gets deeply honest about three subtle but draining habits he's leaving behind—and why every HSP should consider doing the same. You'll learn how these patterns show up in daily life, why they're so hard to let go of, and a gentle, effective process for setting yourself free from them. You'll Discover: Why proving your worth through productivity is a trap for HSPs—and how to break free. The hidden cost of over-attuning to others' emotions and how to stay in your own lane. How apologizing for your needs leads to self-erasure—and what reclaiming your space really looks like. Press play now to begin releasing what drains you and reclaim the inner freedom you deserve.   Todd Smith, founder of True Inner Freedom Dreaming of a stress-free, balanced life? Visit trueinnerfreedom.com and complete the HSP Stress Survey. Gain clarity on your stress triggers and enjoy a free 15-minute Inner Freedom Call designed to guide you toward lasting inner peace and fulfillment. Are you a highly sensitive person (HSP) or someone who identifies as hypersensitive or neurodivergent? This podcast is dedicated to helping highly sensitive people (HSPs) navigate overwhelm and stress by using The Work of Byron Katie—a powerful method for questioning stressful thoughts and finding true inner freedom. We dive deep into stress management strategies, coping with stress, and stress relief methods specifically tailored for HSPs. Learn how to manage emotions, especially negative ones, and explore effective stress reduction techniques that go beyond the surface to address the root causes of anxiety and pressure. Whether you're interested in learning how to lower stress, handle stress and pressure, or reduce stress through practical techniques, we provide insights and support based on The Work of Byron Katie. Discover how this transformative approach can help you decrease stress, find inner peace, and create balance in your life. Join us to learn about various coping strategies for stress, all designed to support HSPs in their journey toward emotional well-being.    

Are you a Highly Sensitive Person under stress? Find out—take the free test at https://trueinnerfreedom.com/program/ Have you ever felt ashamed for needing earplugs just to get through a store—like you're broken for reacting to things others seem to handle with ease? If you're a highly sensitive person, everyday environments like Walmart or Target can feel like battlegrounds. But the real struggle isn't just the sensory overload—it's the invisible weight of shame and self-judgment that follows you around. This episode dives into why your sensitivity isn't the problem… but what you believe about it is. Learn why HSP tools like earplugs can quietly trigger shame—and how to stop apologizing for using them. Discover the true cost of comparing yourself to others who seem to "handle more" and how it drains your energy. Shift your mindset from seeing your sensitivity as a flaw to embracing it as a strength that deserves protection, not hiding. Press play now to learn how to stop shrinking your life out of shame and start living on your own terms with confidence, clarity, and peace.   Todd Smith, founder of True Inner Freedom Dreaming of a stress-free, balanced life? Visit trueinnerfreedom.com and complete the HSP Stress Survey. Gain clarity on your stress triggers and enjoy a free 15-minute Inner Freedom Call designed to guide you toward lasting inner peace and fulfillment. Are you a highly sensitive person (HSP) or someone who identifies as hypersensitive or neurodivergent? This podcast is dedicated to helping highly sensitive people (HSPs) navigate overwhelm and stress by using The Work of Byron Katie—a powerful method for questioning stressful thoughts and finding true inner freedom. We dive deep into stress management strategies, coping with stress, and stress relief methods specifically tailored for HSPs. Learn how to manage emotions, especially negative ones, and explore effective stress reduction techniques that go beyond the surface to address the root causes of anxiety and pressure. Whether you're interested in learning how to lower stress, handle stress and pressure, or reduce stress through practical techniques, we provide insights and support based on The Work of Byron Katie. Discover how this transformative approach can help you decrease stress, find inner peace, and create balance in your life. Join us to learn about various coping strategies for stress, all designed to support HSPs in their journey toward emotional well-being.