Start / Stress Management for Highly Sensitive People (HSP): Inner Work and Strategies for Coping with Stress, Overwhelm, and Negativ / 251 how to finally stop shaming yourself for resting so you can function at your best again as an hsp

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

#251 | How to Finally Stop Shaming Yourself for Resting So You Can Function at Your Best Again as an HSP

18 min • 2 juli 2025

Have you ever felt guilty for sleeping in or taking a break—even when you needed it most? If you’re a highly sensitive person (HSP), could your downtime be more essential than you think?

In a world that glorifies productivity, many HSPs struggle with shame around rest. This episode explores how unplanned downtime can trigger harsh self-criticism and why our cultural conditioning makes rest feel like a personal failure. If you've ever wondered why you feel so depleted—or why you're so hard on yourself for slowing down—this conversation will resonate deeply.

Learn how neuroscience confirms that HSPs burn more mental energy and need more rest—not less—to thrive.
Discover how inner work can dismantle the guilt and “shoulds” that surround your rest habits.
Gain empowering language you can use to advocate for your downtime without overexplaining or feeling like a burden.

Press play now to reclaim rest as your greatest ally in living a balanced, vibrant life 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.

Senaste avsnitt

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#263 | How to Stop Judging Your Perfectionism as an HSP and Learn How to Meet It With Kindness Instead of Shame

30 juli | 14 min

#262 | How I Finally Fit Exercise Into My Life as an HSP Without Triggering Overwhelm & How You Can Too

28 juli | 16 min

#261 | The Real Reason You Feel So Much Shame For Being a Highly Sensitive Person & How To Break Free From The Stereotype

25 juli | 16 min

#260 | Why Highly Sensitive People Crave Alone Time AND Deep Connection, & How To Finally Have Both

23 juli | 17 min

#251 | How to Finally Stop Shaming Yourself for Resting So You Can Function at Your Best Again as an HSP

Senaste avsnitt

#264 | Why True Healing Takes Both Inner Work and Outer Work When You're a Highly Sensitive Person

#263 | How to Stop Judging Your Perfectionism as an HSP and Learn How to Meet It With Kindness Instead of Shame

#262 | How I Finally Fit Exercise Into My Life as an HSP Without Triggering Overwhelm & How You Can Too

#261 | The Real Reason You Feel So Much Shame For Being a Highly Sensitive Person & How To Break Free From The Stereotype

#260 | Why Highly Sensitive People Crave Alone Time AND Deep Connection, & How To Finally Have Both

#259 | The Hidden Reason Stress Feels So Hard as an HSP and the 3 Pillars That Finally Help You Manage It

#258 | The Real Cure for Feeling Misunderstood as an HSP (Hint: It’s Not Just Finding “Your People”)

#257 | Highly Sensitive Person or Introvert? The Surprising Differences Most People Don’t Understand

#256 | Why Some Criticism Stings More Than Others & How To Diffuse The Emotional Impact as a Highly Sensitive Person

#255 | 2 Ways to Bring More Joy, More Calm, and Less Burnout Into Your Life as a Highly Sensitive Person

#254 | The Real Reasons You're So Sensitive, That Have Nothing To Do With Trauma

Why Saying No in Relationships as a Highly Sensitive Person Will Bring You Closer

#252 | How Understanding the Secret Language of Overwhelm as an HSP Can Accelerate Your Inner Growth and Fulfillment

#251 | How to Finally Stop Shaming Yourself for Resting So You Can Function at Your Best Again as an HSP

#250 | You're Not Failing — There's Nothing Wrong With Choosing Inner Work Over Ambition as an HSP

#249 | 3 Signs You’re Losing Personal Space at Work — And How HSPs Can Avoid the Overwhelm Spiral

#248 | Why You Want to Retreat After a Deep Conversation — And Why That’s Not a Flaw as a Highly Sensitive Person

#247 | Why Spending Money Can Feel So Stressful as an HSP & How to Overcome Financial Overanalysis So You Can Enjoy Money Again

#246 | Why HSPs Struggle to Start Without a Perfect Plan — And How Inner Work Can Ease the Overwhelm

#245 | Why Work-Life Balance Feels So Hard for Highly Sensitive People — And What the Overwhelm Is Teaching Us

#244 | When Visiting Family No Longer Hurts: A Highly Sensitive Person’s Healing Journey Through Daily Inner Work

#243 | Why Being in an HSP Community Can Be So Healing — And How It Eases Overwhelm and Deepens Inner Work

#242 | Is Sensitivity Natural? Here’s What 100+ Species Can Teach Us About the HSP Trait and Its True Purpose

#241 | As an HSP, I Believed Self-Care Was the Best Antidote to Overwhelm — Until I Cared for My Dying Father

#240 | Why Giving Criticism Feels Overwhelming for Highly Sensitive People — And How Inner Work Can Help

#239 | Why It’s So Hard for HSPs to Ask for Space — And How to Remain Caring Even While Honoring Yourself

#238 | Emotional Burnout at Work: How Inner Work Helped Me Heal the Pressure to Succeed

#237 | How to Say No as an HSP: A Gentle 3-Step Guide to Setting Boundaries without Overwhelm

#236 | Why Highly Sensitive People Struggle More with Stress — And Heal Faster, Too

#235 | From Family Conflict to Inner Peace: A Client’s Journey to Healing Boundaries Through Inner Work

#234 | Understanding Big T and Little t Trauma — And How to Begin Healing for Highly Sensitive People (HSP)

#233 | A Clear Analogy for Presenting The Work of Byron Katie—with a Peaceful HSP Heart

#232 | I Used to Dread Conflict — Here’s What Changed Over Time as a Highly Sensitive Person

#231 | How to Get Unstuck from Decision Paralysis as a Highly Sensitive Person and Avoid Overwhelm

#230 | From Performance Pressure to Inner Peace: A Live Inner Work Session for Highly Sensitive People

#229 | Why “Being Nice” Keeps HSPs Overwhelmed—And How Inner Work Can Break the Cycle

#228 | 3 Reasons Highly Sensitive People Need More Time Alone

#227 | Why Am I So Impatient with Incompetent People? Stress Management for HSPs Through Inner Work

#226 | Unpacking a Moment of Overwhelm Using the Three Pillars of Stress Management for Highly Sensitive People

#225 | 5 Ways Highly Sensitive People Internalize Judgment — And What To Do About It

#224 | HSP Overwhelm & Fear of Passivity: Releasing the Fear of Doing Nothing

#223 | “They Make Me Feel Wrong”: A Meditation on Shame and Criticism for the Highly Sensitive Person

#222 | 7 Little Triggers That Overwhelm Highly Sensitive People & How To Handle Them

#221 | Does “Accepting What Is” Lead to Spiritual Bypassing? HSPs & The Work of Byron Katie

#220 | How to Say ‘No’ Without Guilt: Building Boundaries That Feel Good for HSPs

#219 | How to Prioritize Your Needs Without Anxiety or Guilt to Avoid HSP Overwhelm

#218 | Workplace Breakup or Family Split? Inner Work for HSPs on Loss & Change

#217 | HSP Struggles with Social Cliques: Inner Work for Highly Sensitive People

#216 | Overwhelm & Relationships: Finding the Right Balance Between Closeness & Space

#215 | HSP Anxiety & the Future: Letting Go of “I Want to Know What’s Going to Happen”

#214 | HSP Anxiety About Falling Behind: Letting Go of “I Need to Catch Up”

#213 | Practicing Imperfection: A Stress-Relief Strategy for HSPs

#212 | Letting Go of Powerlessness: Inner Work for Highly Sensitive People

#211 | Inner Work for HSPs on Sudden Grief: A Guided Meditation Using The Work of Byron Katie

#210 | When Relaxing Feels Uncomfortable: Stress Relief Strategies for HSPs

#209 | Managing Stress & Uncertainty: Letting Go of “I Don’t Know Where to Start”

#208 | Earning Less Than Your Partner? Inner Work for HSPs on Financial Self-Worth

#207 | HSP Sensitivity vs. Reactivity: How to Stay Balanced Under Stress

#206 | Overcoming Social Anxiety as an HSP: Managing Stress When You Want to Impress

#205 | The Pressure to Finish: A Guided Meditation for Highly Sensitive People

#204 | Why Stress Management Is a Key Domain of Health: A Doctor’s View for HSPs

#203 | Questioning Stressful Thoughts About Politics: A Client Session for Highly Sensitive People

#202 | Highly Sensitive or Hypochondriac? Inner Work on the Fear of Being Labeled

#201 | Living with Purpose as an HSP: How It Helps You Thrive & Manage Stress

#200 | Managing Relationship Stress as an HSP: When ‘My Way’ Feels Like the Only Way

#199 | HSP Overload: Questioning the Thought “I Need to Fit In”

#198 | Social Connectivity as an HSP: A Cardiologist’s Perspective on Why It’s Essential for Your Health

#197 | Loosening the Need to Fix Family Relationships: A Path for HSPs

#196 | Accepting Non-HSPs: A Guided Meditation for Highly Sensitive People

#195 | Beyond Physical Health: A Cardiologist’s Whole-Person Guide to Wellness for Highly Sensitive People, Part 2

#194 | Coping with Stressful Conversations: Inner Work for Highly Sensitive People

#193 | Letting Go of the Need to Go Deep: A Guided Meditation for Highly Sensitive People

#192 | Beyond Physical Health: A Cardiologist’s Whole-Person Guide to Wellness for Highly Sensitive People, Part 1

#191 | When You Feel Judged: Managing Insecurity and Self-Criticism as an HSP

#190 | HSP Overwhelm: Letting Go of the “Something’s Wrong with Me” Belief

#189 | The 3 Pillars of Stress Management for HSPs: A Path to Emotional Balance

#188 | Healing Old Wounds: Deep Inner Work on Family Stress for HSPs

#187 | Overwhelmed HSP? Questioning the Belief That There’s Too Much to Do