Following
are some of the books I have greatly enjoyed and highly recommend
for clients. The links provided connect with Amazon.com. If
you purchase a book through my site, I will receive a small commission
for it.
This book elaborates on the concepts put forth in Aron's
first book, and draws attention to the opportunities and challenges of
being an HSP in love. She also provides even more insight into
the trait of sensitivity, particularly by explaining how some HSPs are
also "High Sensation Seekers," which can add an additional
layer of complexity for HSPs. (Begin simultaneously sensitive to stimulation
and easily overwhelmed
by it makes for quite a narrow range of optimal stimulation!).
My
rating:
This mini-book (110 pages) makes a more direct connection
to the empathic and psychic abilities often displayed by Highly Sensitive
Souls than Elaine Aron’s ”The Highly Sensitive Person,” which
walks a more mainstream path. Dr. Mesich believes that distorted empathic
ability is at the root of the “less desirable traits” of
being Highly Sensitive, including feeling “easily hurt and overwhelmed,
a prevalence of negative emotions, depression and anxiety, and stimulus
overload.” She also identifies what she considers to be the “more
desirable traits,” including being emotionally self-aware, empathically
able to understand other’s emotions, deep appreciators of art,
and often artistic. She makes two key recommendations for balancing
one’s empathic abilities, including flower essences, visualization
and meditation. Also visit Dr. Mesich's website for more information
at www.kyramesich.com. My
rating:
HSPs have merely a "lower threshold" for stimulation that
others; it's not that we dislike ALL stimulation. For example,
an 8 for me on a scale of 0-10 might be a 4 for a non-HSP. We're
just different!
HSP's have a "spiritual talent" - most will answer yes when
asked, "would you be willing to sit at the beside of
dying stranger and comfort them?"
Water
is a powerful tool for dealing with stress and pollutants
- whether drinking it, bathing in it, or being near it - even washing
dishes
in it!!
Finding ways to put our sensitivity to use is one of our most significant challenges. My
rating:
Laney goes into some detail about the differences in brain
function between introverts and extroverts, and explains (*finally*)
that introverts (or "innies," as she calls them) have to access
long-term memory to retrieve vocabulary words when speaking out loud.
This is why introverts often feel tongue-tied in social or other verbal
situations. Laney points out that introverts can often feel as though
they have no idea what they like to do or even what they know about a
particular subject until they can access their long-term memory. She
also makes a distinction between HSPs and
introverts, clarifying that the discerning trait of the HSP is our
heightened perceptive ability, or sixth sense. Later chapters
of the book focus on some practical techniques for “navigating
the extroverted waters,” which include some simple suggestions
for getting by in this world we live in, along with some ways introverts
can learn to “extrovert” a bit too. My
rating:
Too
Loud, Too Bright, Too Fast, Too Tight: What to Do If You Are Sensory
Defensive in an Overstimulating World by Sharon Heller defines
sensory defensiveness as a "condition," with
the primary symptom being the result of having a nervous system
that
is "overly sensitive to sensation." This may or may not
be the same as being Highly Sensitive. She makes a number of recommendations
for coping with sensory defensiveness that include
modalities such as "heavy work" (essentially intense physical
exercise), a special skin brushing technique and other skin stimulation
activities, light therapy, essential oils, diet modification, breathing
techniques, a variety of hands-on therapy including cranio-sacral
therapy, traeger body work, movement therapies, yoga, martial arts & qi
gong, and meditation. Buyer beware, however, this book definitely
takes a more "negative" look at many characteristics of
high sensitivity and is somewhat esoteric in its approach. My
rating:
An excellent self-care book that doubles as a guide to balancing your
chakras with practical, everyday techniques. Also visit her website for
more information at www.soniachoquette.com. My rating:
A terrific little book that explains lots of little tricks to overcome
procrastination. An excellent read for HSPs of
the world! Many of us procrastinate because we are perfectionistic,
and this book offers great tips for working with that!
My
rating:
I found Ted Zeff's book to contain a number of
insightful, useful, and carefully considered strategies for getting by
in a not-so-sensitive
world.
He offers practical solutions to HSP challenges throughout,
and addresses specific issues in a Q&A style in the last chapter.
He also brings new information about insomnia and ayurvedic medicine
to the table. I greatly appreciated his incorporation of Eastern spiritual
principles and self-healing methodologies. Zeff has synthesized a range
of experience, knowledge, and study into a comprehensive, clear, and
accessible guide to life as an HSP.
My rating: Visit
Dr. Zeff’s
website for more information.
A wonderful little book that reminds us how important
it is to take time out and rejuvenate in simple, yet profound, ways. Reading
it IS taking time out - it's a deep breath of connection to yourself. Enjoy
it!
My rating:
This
book played a key role in my own career transition. The
morning pages alone brought such clarity and such freedom to my life!
I
highly recommend this book to ANYONE seeking more clarity about
their own lives and their own creative process (artistic or otherwise),
whether they consider themselves to be an "artist" or
not.
My
rating:
Sonia Choquette's work on developing your intuition is grounded, practical,
and fun. She offers great techniques and helpful information for learning
to work in concert with your inner voice. Also visit her website
for more information at www.soniachoquette.com. My rating:
This six CD set includes some intriguing
skills for creating "energetic boundaries" - in other words, strengthening
your aura and improving your grounding and centering skills. While
I like McLaren's work in general, I find Sonia Choquette's work (see
above) to be better grounded and accessible.
My
rating:
In this audio set, McLaren gives
instruction on how to understand the "messages" that emotions
carry, and how to manage and develop your empathic skills. My rating:
Sonia does it again with a book filled with strategies to bring your intuition to work. Her techniques are deceptively simple, but profound when studied closely. A must read for sensitives souls, whether self-employed or working in the mainstream world of work.
An excellent yet challenging read - for me because
it evoked difficult memories of past work experiences. This book reinforces
the fundamental importance of meaningful work for Highly Sensitive
Souls. We’re not the sorts of creatures who can “get by” in
careers that don’t respect our sensitivity or feed our souls.
Jaeger's simple yet telling concept of “psychic income” impressed
me. She highlights the importance of balancing the monetary and intangible
incomes we get from our work – the satisfaction. She also illustrates
the concepts of “drudgery,” the slippery slope of untenable
work; “craft,” a middle ground that can be more sustainable;
and “calling,” where our work aligns with our sensitivity,
values, and gifts, and we are adequately compensated both financially
and psychically. It’s a dream to strive for. My rating:
Do
What You Are lends terrific insight into the Myers-Briggs
Type Indicator (MBTI) as it relates to work and career questions.
I have found it particularly helpful in giving guidelines for
preferred work environments for different temperaments. My
rating:
I LOVED this book. Sonia hits the nail on the head with parenting
for sensitive, intuitive children. This is a must-read for parents
who want to teach their children to trust themselves and honor their
intuition and spiritual selves in their daily lives. She gives
practical, grounding suggestions for making intuitive living real. My
rating:
This book contains excellent insights into childhood as a sensitive soul. I highly recommend this book for all sensitive people, parents or not. You will learn a lot about how to "parent" yourself now. Dr. Aron gives very useful, practical advice for helping highly sensitive
children find their way the in the world, from early years to young adulthood. My rating:
Although this book is focused on parenting, I also found it to be an
extremely useful guide to a deeper understanding of the Enneagram. Levine
suggests many helpful strategies for working with innate personality
traits. My rating:
Based on the structure of his father's Life Strategies book,
McGraw cleverly narrates approaches for teens to get along better in
life, in a way that doesn't talk down or preach. It's fun, smart
and useful.
My
rating:
A small book devoted to some simple and yet crucial components
of successfully relating to your teenager, based on the concept of coaching.
Simple concepts, solid ideas. For more information, please also
visit Haskins' Parent
As Coach website. My
rating:
A terrific overview book on the Enneagram. I particularly enjoy
this approach because it tends to focus a little less on the "negative" aspects
of the types as some of the other books do. It also incorporates
the concept of "levels" which illustrates what each type is
capable of at their best and worst. My rating:
This book delves further into detail on the passions and essential nature
of each type, and also includes a lengthy discussion of misidentifications. A
great tool if you're having trouble distinguishing between the types. My
rating:
Although this book is focused on parenting, I also found it to be an
extremely useful guide to a deeper understanding of the Enneagram. Levine
suggests many helpful strategies for working with innate personality
traits. My rating:
