HSP-friendly Workouts

We all know that grounding and restorative activity like Hatha yoga or swimming can help calm our sensitive nervous systems.  But what about when you want something high-impact?  What about when you want to push yourself?
 
I remember walking into the “Cardio Sculpt” class at my gym. I was in the mood for something challenging and intense. I had energy to burn and was ready to channel it. I was feeling motivated and confident…until the instructor turned on the music.

The music was so jarringly loud that it hurt my brain.  I could barely focus, let alone hear the instructor above the noise.  Gone was my excitement to push myself hard, replaced by frustration and anxiety about my options: should I leave, say something, or tough it out?
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Many HSPs struggle with wanting to exercise intensely without feeling over-stimulated.  Good news, HSPs: I think I found the sweet spot.
 
I recently stumbled upon the free exercise video site, Fitness Blender. The workouts offered are varied, fun and range in level of intensity. I found myself going back to their site over and over, and if finally dawned on me that their high-intensity workouts are HSP-friendly!
 
Some of the qualities that make this so:

• There’s no music. Fitness Blender decided not to add their own background music so that people watching can add the tunes they want or have no music at all.
• No distracting background set. The backdrop of Fitness Blender’s videos is a white room. It’s surprisingly calming and less stimulation for my brain to process.
• They’re kind and personable.  Kelli and Daniel (the instructors) offer no yelling "motivation"; just calm, consistent encouragement.

 
Highly Sensitive People like intensity as much as the next guy, as long as it doesn’t overwhelm us. Fitness Blender gave me a great example of ways HSPs can meet our needs for excitement while also honoring the ways we’re wired.
 
Finding resources that work for us is an essential part of supporting our sensitive nervous systems. In Flourish, my 12-week interactive program enrolling now, we explore the ways our HSP trait makes us vulnerable to frequent overwhelm and burnout.
 
I teach you the most effective ways to eliminate overwhelm, including how to identify HSP-friendly supports. Often, the littlest adjustments have the biggest impacts and allow you to get back to doing what you love.
 
Learn more about the program here:

I hope you’re having a great start to the week. Out my window, I’m watching the snow drift down and coat the world in a soothing wintry silence.  I hope you also experience something pleasing to your soul today.