Being sensitive meaning


Sensitive Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

1 of 2

sen·​si·​tive ˈsen(t)-sə-tiv 

ˈsen(t)s-təv

1

: sensory sense 2

2

a

: receptive to sense impressions

b

: capable of being stimulated or excited by external agents (such as light, gravity, or contact)

sensitive cells

3

: highly responsive or susceptible: such as

a(1)

: easily hurt or damaged

especially : easily hurt emotionally

(2)

: delicately aware of the attitudes and feelings of others

b

: excessively or abnormally susceptible : hypersensitive

sensitive to egg protein

c

: readily fluctuating in price or demand

sensitive commodities

d

: capable of indicating minute differences : delicate

sensitive scales

e

: readily affected or changed by various agents (such as light or mechanical shock)

a photographic emulsion sensitive to red light

f

: highly radiosensitive

4

a

: concerned with highly classified government information or involving discretionary authority over important policy matters

sensitive documents

b

: calling for tact, care, or caution in treatment : touchy

a sensitive issue like race relations

5

: having or showing concern for a specified matter

—usually used in combination

a price-sensitive customerenvironmentally sensitive policies

sensitively adverb

sensitiveness noun

sensitive

2 of 2

1

: a person having occult or psychical abilities

2

: a sensitive person

Synonyms

Adjective

  • acute
  • delicate
  • fine
  • keen
  • perceptive
  • quick
  • sharp

See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus 

Example Sentences

Adjective He acts like a tough guy, but he's really very sensitive to criticism. I found him to be a sensitive and caring person.

Recent Examples on the Web

Fragrance free and accepted by the National Eczema Association, this body wash from Odele will work with some of the most sensitive skin types out there. Christian Gollayan, Men's Health, 17 Nov. 2022 In addition, the DOJ is also investigating Trump’s retention of sensitive government documents at his Mar-a-Lago home. Barbara Mcquade, Time, 17 Nov. 2022 The result: even sensitive skin types can use this product and see results in two weeks time. Sophie Dweck, Town & Country, 16 Nov. 2022 The Justice Department is also probing Trump's efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election and removal of sensitive documents, including material with classified markings, from the White House to Mar-a-Lago in Florida. Tal Axelrod, ABC News, 15 Nov. 2022 The federal probe into Trump's handling of sensitive documents has further escalated since the execution of the search warrant in August. Robert Legare, CBS News, 14 Nov. 2022 The department is investigating Trump’s role in the efforts to reverse the outcome of the 2020 election and the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, and his retention of sensitive government documents at his residence and resort in Florida. Glenn Thrush, BostonGlobe.com, 3 Nov. 2022 When first questioned by the FBI, Nauta denied handling sensitive documents or the boxes that might contain such documents, according to people familiar with the matter, before his account shifted significantly in a second interview. Devlin Barrett, Perry Stein And Josh Dawsey, Anchorage Daily News, 29 Oct. 2022 When first questioned by the FBI, Nauta denied handling sensitive documents or the boxes that might contain such documents, according to people familiar with the matter, before his account shifted significantly in a second interview. Josh Dawsey, Washington Post, 28 Oct. 2022

Not only are their luxury homes more rate sensitive, but so are their tech sectors. Lance Lambert, Fortune, 28 Sep. 2022 Not only are those high-end housing markets more rate sensitive, but so are their tech sectors. Lance Lambert, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2022 Not only are their high-end real estate markets more rate sensitive, but so are their tech sectors. Bylance Lambert, Fortune, 7 Oct. 2022 In a piece this sensitive, is there latitude to be artful? Brendan O'meara, Longreads, 23 Sep. 2022 Not only are their high-end real estate markets more rate sensitive, but so are their tech sectors. Lance Lambert, Fortune, 20 Sep. 2022 Not only are their high-end real estate markets more rate sensitive, but so are their tech sectors. Lance Lambert, Fortune, 11 Sep. 2022 Not only are their high-end real estate markets more rate sensitive, but so are their tech sectors. Lance Lambert, Fortune, 28 Aug. 2022 Not only are their high-end real estate markets more rate sensitive, but so are their tech sectors. Lance Lambert, Fortune, 19 Aug. 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'sensitive. ' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin sensitivus, probably alteration of sensativus, from sensatus sensate

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Noun

1807, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler

The first known use of sensitive was in the 15th century

See more words from the same century

Dictionary Entries Near

sensitive

sensitisation

sensitive

sensitive brier

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“Sensitive.Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sensitive. Accessed 30 Nov. 2022.

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Kids Definition

sensitive

sen·​si·​tive

ˈsen(t)-sət-iv,

ˈsen(t)-stiv

1

: capable of responding to stimulation

2

a

: easily or strongly affected or hurt

a sensitive child

b

: capable of showing very small differences : delicate

sensitive scales

c

: readily affected or changed by the action of a certain thing

plants sensitive to light

sensitively adverb

sensitiveness noun

Medical Definition

sensitive

sen·​si·​tive ˈsen(t)-sət-iv, ˈsen(t)-stiv 

1

: sensory sense 2

sensitive nerves

2

a

: receptive to sense impressions

b

: capable of being stimulated or excited by external agents (as light, gravity, or contact)

a photographic emulsion sensitive to red light

sensitive protoplasm

3

: highly responsive or susceptible: as

a

: easily hurt or damaged

sensitive skin

especially : easily hurt emotionally

b

: excessively or abnormally susceptible : hypersensitive

sensitive to egg protein

c

: capable of indicating minute differences

sensitive scales

d

: readily affected or changed by various agents (as light or mechanical shock)

a sensitive colloid

sensitiveness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on

sensitive

Nglish: Translation of sensitive for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of sensitive for Arabic Speakers

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Merriam-Webster unabridged

Help Me Understand: Why Am I So Sensitive?

Do you ever find yourself wondering why you’re so sensitive? If you feel things deeply, you may be a highly sensitive person.

Sensitivity is often framed as a negative personality trait. You may have been told that you’re too sensitive or overemotional and that you need to “toughen up.” Maybe you wonder, why am I so sensitive?

It’s important to understand that sensitivity is a personality trait. Being “too” sensitive is not a disorder. Like being quiet or being thoughtful, it’s not necessarily a bad trait, even though each can pose its challenges.

Several potential causes of sensitivity exist. For example, if you have a neurodevelopmental disorder like autism or ADHD, you might be more sensitive to certain stimuli.

Your sensitivity may not be linked to any particular disorder, though. If you feel things deeply, you could be a highly sensitive person (HSP).

Do you feel a cold coming on before outward symptoms show up? Do you notice that a lamplight is about to go out a day or two before it does because of slight dimming? Or are you deeply moved by someone else’s good or bad news just by picking up on their subtle expressions?

Why am I so emotional?

There can be many different reasons. Sometimes, we become more emotional when we go through difficult or stressful times. Recent bereavement, trauma, and stress can make us feel more emotional.

Some people tend to be emotionally sensitive because it’s a part of their personality. A highly sensitive person is someone who feels things strongly, whether those things are positive or negative. This can include their own emotions, the emotions of others, and sensory stimuli in the world around them.

A note on being highly sensitive vs. exceptionally emotional

We often use the words “sensitive” and “emotional” interchangeably. And indeed, highly sensitive people are more attuned to emotions.

One of the main distinctions between being exceptionally emotional and being highly sensitive is that highly sensitive people are very attuned to their emotions as well as the emotions of others.

Highly sensitive people also tend to be more sensitive to external stimuli, like lights, noises, and colors, as well as internal stimuli, like hunger and pain.

Another difference is that being highly emotional could be temporary while being a highly sensitive person is a part of your personality.

If you’ve been feeling emotional lately, several stressors could be contributing to it.

Highly sensitive people often feel emotions and respond to stimuli — both in themselves and others — profoundly.

About 15–20% of the population is thought to be highly sensitive.

While many highly sensitive people are dismissed as “too sensitive,” their perceptiveness can be a strength.

The discovery of the HSP

The term “highly sensitive person” was popularized by clinical psychologist Elaine N. Aron, who wrote the book “The Highly Sensitive Person: How to Thrive When the World Overwhelms You.”

First published in 1996, this book is based on years of Aron’s research into being a highly sensitive person herself.

Sensory processing: Like being a human sponge

HSP are folks who are strong in a personality trait known as sensory processing sensitivity. This is not a disorder or a mental illness, but rather a part of your personality.

Sensory processing relates to how you take in stimuli, including sounds, sensations, others’ moods, smells, and more. HSP often experience these stimuli easily, absorbing like a sponge.

In daily life

If you’re highly sensitive, you might be deeply bothered by violent movies or graphics. You might also be easily overwhelmed by a busy or noisy environment, such as a crowded mall or business conference.

Or, you might be able to savor pleasant stimuli intensely — a good meal, a wonderful song — on a deeper level. Your sensitivity to others’ feelings might help you cultivate strong relationships.

Understanding your sensitivity can be the key to managing overwhelm and leaning into the pleasurable aspects of being an HSP.

Aron’s research found being an HSP is an innate trait, identified in over 100 species.

However, others might learn to be sensitive for several reasons. A traumatic event might put them on high alert, for example. Being sensitive to stimuli is also a symptom of conditions like ADHD and autism.

Over years of research, Aron identified a few common characteristics among highly sensitive people.

These traits include:

  • having empathy toward others
  • engaging in people-pleasing
  • being sensitive to loud noises, chaotic scenes, and busy crowds
  • often feeling overwhelmed by sensory stimuli or emotional experiences
  • being sensitive to caffeine and medication
  • having increased self-awareness
  • being able to deeply savor and appreciate pleasant sensations
  • avoiding violent and tense movies or books
  • avoiding overwhelming situations
  • often needing to retreat into a relaxed, quiet space
  • having strong emotional responses

Not all HSP will have all the above traits. Therapy and self-work can help you address some of the more harmful tendencies or unpleasant experiences.

Contrary to what many people assume, highly sensitive people are not always introverted. It’s estimated that around 30% are extroverts.

If you think you might be a highly sensitive person, you can take the official quiz on their website here.

To be clear, you can’t (and might not want to!) stop being sensitive, but you can manage your responses to your sensitivity.

While many people may ask themselves “Am I too sensitive?,” it’s important to note that being a highly sensitive person is not a disorder and nothing to be ashamed of. It’s simply a unique trait, just like being tall or light-haired.

Being a HSP can be difficult and overwhelming for some people, especially if you don’t understand your sensitivity. But you might find it liberating to harness and channel that perceptivity.

Psychotherapy to help channel your sensitivities

Talk therapy, also called psychotherapy, can help you learn to cope with the challenges of being an HSP while cultivating the positive parts of your sensitivity.

The official highly sensitive person website has directories of therapists, coaches, and medical professionals who are knowledgeable about HSPs. This can be helpful if you’re looking for a therapist for yourself or a highly sensitive loved one.

Your sensitivity can be a superpower. There are many benefits of being a highly sensitive person:

  • being very empathetic to others, fostering deeper connection
  • being highly self-aware
  • being observant when it comes to yourself and others
  • profoundly appreciating pleasant stimuli, including food, fragrances, music, textures, and more
  • being deeply moved by heartwarming and positive stories, books, and movies
  • cultivating gratitude for the “little things” in life, in part because you notice and experience them keenly

Learning to route your sensitivity toward something positive can be extremely helpful. Often, this starts with accepting your heightened perceptivity and reaching out for help if you need it.

If you feel that you’re “too sensitive,” there might be reasons for your sensitivity. In many cases, it’s simply a part of your personality and not something to try and change.

While your sensitivity can cause overwhelm and lead to challenges, it can also be a strength. Learning about your perceptivity can help you harness this strength to benefit yourself and others.

If you feel that you need emotional support, you can start by reaching out to a therapist.

Close to the heart: what is high sensitivity and how to live with it

Health

© Eternal Happiness/Pexels

Author Varya Borodina

04 February 2020

Intolerance to noise, fear of the crowd, acute experience of any failure and increased emotionality - all this can be experienced by highly sensitive people. We understand why they are like that and what science knows about them.

"You take everything too close to your heart" - these words have been heard by everyone whom nature has endowed with high sensitivity. Science has long ignored the anxieties and concerns of vulnerable people, but in the last ten years the doctrine of sensitivity has become a trend, and at the end of the 2010s it moved into the mainstream. One of the first books on this topic is “Supersensitive nature. How to Succeed in a Mad World” by psychologist Elaine Ayron has become almost a classic of popular psychology literature today.

The abbreviations HSP and SPS can often be found in the Western press. The first is called Highly Sensitive Persons, and the second refers to the reason that makes them so fragile. The central nervous system of some people is literally more sensitive—it responds more strongly and processes physical, emotional, and social stimuli more deeply. This phenomenon is called Sensory Processing Sensitivity.

To understand how sensitive you are, you can take a test that measures four parameters: the depth of information processing, a tendency to nervousness, emotional reactivity and the ability to read between the lines (catch the nuances of phenomena, situations, characters).

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Highly sensitive people are more likely to indulge in reflection, worry more about other people, themselves, the future and the whole world, it is difficult for them to make decisions, accept criticism, and they can also suffer in a loud and fussy environment. Therefore, they are even called “new introverts”, but do not confuse the concepts - sensitive people may well be extroverts, they just react more sharply to everything that happens in the world. It does not follow from this that high sensitivity is a disadvantage. This is just a personality trait that can be made into an advantage.

From anxiety to vivid emotions

Emotional reactivity indicates the ability to respond more sharply to external stimuli. It may manifest itself in different ways. On the one hand, a person deeply experiences failures and reacts sharply to gross physical stimuli (unpleasant music, pushing, screaming, etc.). But this same reactivity helps to experience positive emotions more vividly and makes even the most everyday life more intense. Concerts, festivals, fireworks and colorful shows, travel and outdoor activities, spiritual conversations with loved ones, spiritual practices, simple joys like delicious food and strong hugs - all this a highly sensitive person lives brightly, from the bottom of his heart.

From indecisiveness to balance

According to Elaine Ayron and her colleagues, highly sensitive people have a harder time making decisions. Excessive attention to details interferes with making a decision: a person digs into the nuances, makes endless lists of pros and cons, and eventually slides into painful rumination (scrolling the same thoughts with negative overtones). Considering that many sensitive people have a hard time with criticism, they are especially afraid of making the wrong decision.

However, the ability and desire to analyze is a useful skill in life and at work. Such a person is a valuable member of the team, because it is he who will be able to painstakingly study all aspects of an important issue, calculate risks and notice nuances that are invisible to others. Because of their attention to detail, highly sensitive people are the first to notice changes in a friend's or partner's behavior, work environment, and market situation.

© Guilherme Stecanella/Unsplash

From fragility to empathy

Among highly sensitive people there are many introverts who prefer cozy loneliness or a chamber society of two or three close people to group activities and noisy parties. They often choose solo sports, try to protect themselves from the informational noise (especially from the negative). Many of them dislike horror and psychological thrillers, have a hard time dealing with stories of violence, and try to avoid toxic people in real life. This is because highly sensitive people are, for the most part, amazing empaths. Usually they have high emotional intelligence, they are able to empathize, understand and feel the emotions of another person with amazing accuracy.

They are the same friends and partners who understand perfectly, find the best words of support, share grief and sincerely rejoice in the success of loved ones. If only for this reason, high sensitivity should not be considered a weakness - after all, it helps to build close and trusting relationships. And this, as numerous studies prove, is one of the main components of a healthy and happy life.

Things to take care of highly sensitive people (and everyone else)

In order to live in harmony with sensitivity and feel only its positive aspects, it makes sense to adjust the lifestyle in accordance with the needs of the body.

First, get enough sleep. In order not to loosen the already fragile nervous system, sensitive people should follow the routine and sleep hygiene. It is known that poor-quality sleep can lead to irritability, depression and melancholy - you should not provoke a fragile body.

Secondly, fast carbohydrates and caffeine should be limited. Sweets cause spikes in blood sugar and with them bursts of energy with sharp drops. Such an energetic rollercoaster can lead to severe mood swings. And caffeine and other stimulants can provoke hyper-emotionality and agitation.

Thirdly, you need to learn how to find time for yourself. People with hypersensitivity should plan in advance for "relaxing activities" - the time during which they can restore emotional strength and reboot. It can be a weekly hot bath, quiet evening walks, morning yoga, or seasonal trips to country hotels. Separately, it is worth taking care of rest after noisy holidays - birthdays, corporate parties, New Year's and so on.

Fourthly, it is better to surround yourself with comfort. Highly sensitive people acutely experience not only mental, but also physical sensations - tactile, olfactory and visual. Fluffy throws and other soft-touch fabrics, soft subdued lights, scented candles, neutral colors in the interior, beautiful decor, delicious food and drinks - all this can have a therapeutic effect and help to cope with negative emotions.

how to survive for people who feel everything

It is common to think that excessive emotional reactions are something to be dealt with, as they destroy relationships, provoke conflicts and become the cause of many other rash acts.

However, the author of the book “I've had enough! How to live with emotional sensitivity ”Imi Lo thinks completely differently and says that people who live in the world of feelings and perceive everything around them through them can actually see and feel what others cannot see. To do this, you need to accept your high sensitivity and realize that this is not a weakness, but, on the contrary, a strength. We tell you who emotionally sensitive people are and what advantages they have.

Imi Lo
Mann, Ivanov and Ferber, 2020

Who are emotionally sensitive people

An emotionally sensitive person in the most general sense is a person who has a greater range of emotions than anyone else, and perceives the world and the events taking place in it sharp, bright and sensual. There are five signs of emotional sensitivity:

  • Depth, intensity and complexity of emotions.

  • Increased empathy and sensitivity

  • High level of susceptibility.

  • Rich inner world filled with feelings and vivid imagination.

  • Creativity and existential anxiety.

These features can be used to determine whether you belong to the category of emotionally sensitive people.

Depth, intensity and complexity of emotions

If you are a person with high emotional sensitivity, it is as if you exist in the world of emotions and do not think of yourself beyond it. You perceive any events acutely, and you feel truly alive only when you feel something. At the same time, emotions can be not only bright, but also changeable: here you are at the peak of euphoria, and the next second you experience deep sadness.

You may be passionate about anything and can love strongly, grandiosely and without reserve, so you strive to create strong bonds with people, things and places, which makes it difficult to say goodbye to them, even if it is necessary.

Increased empathy and sensitivity

Probably from a very early age you were interested in the lives of others, you were worried even about people who had nothing to do with you. You may also feel a stronger connection with animals and nature, the other person's inner world and their physical sensations. Surely it will not be difficult for you to understand what your interlocutor feels and why he feels this way - and you feel it so clearly that sometimes other people's experiences are perceived as your own.

You tend to be empathic with people, and in close relationships you can romanticize and idealize your friend or partner, forgiving him many shortcomings simply because you deeply feel his inner world. Moreover, some highly sensitive people have a low pain threshold, suffer from misophonia (intolerance to certain sounds), hyperacusis (sensitivity to certain frequencies and strengths of sound), and allergies.

High susceptibility

You do not tend to be satisfied with superficial knowledge, because thanks to empathy and sensuality, you can penetrate the very essence of things, see relationships and important details that many miss. Sometimes you can predict the occurrence of a certain event in advance, understand the state of a person long before he explains it himself, and also recognize true intentions.

True, the ability to foresee something does not always play into your hands, since some images and possible scenarios influence you so strongly that you cannot get rid of obsessive thoughts and emotions.

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A rich inner world and vivid imagination

A wide range of emotions gives rise to various images and associations that can form metaphors, ideas, fantasies and whole worlds. You are probably very inquisitive, prone to constant reflection and searching for answers to questions, therefore you are attentive to the information that you study and to the people with whom you communicate. You may suffer from perfectionism, prone to excessive self-criticism.

When you read a book, watch a movie or a theatrical performance, then most likely the rest of the world ceases to exist for you - now there is only a fictional universe that you sensually explore and to which you vividly react.

Creativity and an existential crisis

Through insight, you may have often thought about the meaninglessness of existence, experienced fear of loneliness, and also annoyance that other people do not want to think about what is really important .

You often get hung up on thoughts about the transience of time and the finiteness of everything that exists, because of this you try to use every moment of life to the maximum, reach creative and career heights. Perhaps you have several hobbies, and you are absolutely not satisfied with the idea of ​​a meaningless life without any goals, aspirations and global desires.

Problems of highly sensitive people

A person who perceives the world vividly through feelings is often considered an emotionally immature person, since his reactions to various events seem excessive and inadequate to the situation. This really happens - for example, when it is necessary to resolve a conflict, and instead a person who is overwhelmed by emotions swears even more and does not want to find a way out of the situation.

But why is this happening? By and large, only because until the end of the 20th century, IQ was the only indicator of intelligence and giftedness. However, this coefficient took into account only the abilities of the mind, but did not at all reflect the ability of a person to perceive the world differently - through empathy, the ability to take the place of another, feel the mood of the interlocutor, see his intentions and potential hidden from the eyes of others. Therefore, in society, it was intelligence, analytical and linguistic abilities that became important, and not emotions and creativity.

It was only in the 1980s that scientists began to develop new models of giftedness, and this is how emotional intelligence appeared. Canadian psychologist François Gagne was the first to separate the concepts of giftedness and talent in his book The Differential Model of Giftedness and Talent. In his opinion, talent is something that develops over time through training and education, and giftedness is an innate ability, a predisposition to a certain activity. He divided abilities into five categories: intellectual, creative, socio-emotional, sensorimotor and others (psychic abilities are included here, but there may be many questions about them). Only along with this division came the understanding that giftedness is not only intellectual, and a person who does not have sufficient analytical abilities should not be considered stupid or mediocre.

Around the same time as Gagne, the American psychologist Howard Gardner developed the concept of multiple intelligences, which included, for example, social intelligence - how we build relationships with others - and intrapersonal intelligence - how we perceive ourselves and how inclined to self-reflection.

Despite all the achievements in the field of psychology and the active popularization of emotional intelligence, not every person realizes how important emotions are. It is customary to develop intellect in children, but no one tells them how to perceive the world through the "wisdom of the heart." That is why especially sensitive, gifted children do not receive proper support, stop showing their emotions and, as a result, face a huge number of problems in adult life that result in conflicts, impulsive decisions and the inability to understand themselves and others.

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How to deal with it

Truth Time Exercise

If you realize that you are experiencing a lot of emotions and cannot manage them, you are very likely to be trapped in prejudices, old traumas and beliefs that do not allow you to realize all your potential. The purpose of the exercise is to refer to unpleasant past events—for example, family experiences or embarrassing situations in society, among friends, or at work—in which you came to the conclusion that your emotions are wrong, and to understand why you think that sensitivity only bothers you. Here's what you need to do:

  • Take a diary and remember as many painful past events as you can. Do you have a tendency to minimize negative feelings? Or, for example, try to separate from your experiences, as if you do not want them to be yours?

  • Be honest with yourself and remember your childhood. How did your parents react to your sensitivity? Did they support her or, on the contrary, tried to suppress her? Did you receive support when you were sad, and if so, from whom? Could you experience your emotions with loved ones, or did you have to do it alone?

  • As you remember, pay attention to how your body reacts. Does your heart rate increase when you think about certain situations? Maybe your jaw or shoulders are tense? Emotions tend to show up outwardly, so pay attention to your body's signals.

In the process of this exercise, if you dig deep, it may become clear why you cannot accept and acknowledge your high sensitivity and, as a result, make it work for you.

Feel the events of the past

Some traumas from early childhood or just in the past can still cause negative feelings in us, such as sadness, anger, sadness or disappointment. It's okay to experience them, but if the events still seem painful, then you haven't let them go yet. So allow yourself to relive all the emotions, even though it may be unpleasant.

Think of all situations that make you feel sad, toxic envy, anger, or any other negative emotion. Try to feel it all over again, allow yourself to react exactly as you would react if you didn’t forbid yourself to freely express your feelings, even the most unpleasant and negative ones. As in the previous exercise, pay attention to the reaction of the body: is there a lump in your throat, are your cheekbones tense, do you feel like crying? And if so, then allow yourself to feel it all. Re-living emotions is like a way of healing and clearing out what has been bothering you for a long time. When you fully experience everything, it will be easier for you to let go of events and move on.

Exercise "Mental rehearsal"

When we are nervous, anticipating not the most pleasant or just exciting event, we begin to activate our defense mechanisms in advance so that the situation does not turn into a disaster for us. However, by winding ourselves up, we only make things worse, while the event may well turn out to be not as terrible as it seemed at first. To avoid wrong reactions, do the following: