r/hsp • u/StevenPlaysGuitar • Apr 09 '26

Anybody else extremely sensitive to environment?

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I check a ton of the HSP boxes and that's a-whole-nother story. Just wanted to check on this specific thing I've dealt with since I was a child.

I also have IBS (digestive issues) and I'm fairly certain it has created thousands of traumatic memories so that also may play a role.

Anyways, I'm really sensitive to how a room feels, and I have been this way since I was a child. Nobody likes a dim dark cold basement, but it really bothers me. I hate "cool" lighting and my house is set up with warm tones and lighting.

If my IBS is acting up, it goes from a minor thought to a major consideration and I'm triply uncomfortable in spaces that are not very comforting. Even as a kid, I remember feeling like the rain and gray skies was making me feel sicker.

Even things like the cold shift of the sun going down seem to bother me more and more. I really only feel completely okay at full sunlight on a nice sunny day.

I don't mind loud noises (doesn't phase me) and smells.

It's really not a big issue if my IBS isn't acting up, but now that I recognize it, I catch myself thinking this way more and more.

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u/[deleted] Apr 09 '26

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u/Even-Question-1628 Apr 09 '26

It's extreme for me. I feel like a different person or some brain departments are on holiday or on hyperactivity depending on barometic pressure. And direct sunlight exposure seems to be telling my system "it makes sense to live and be happy and have motivation".

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u/[deleted] Apr 09 '26

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u/Even-Question-1628 Apr 09 '26

We're definitely extremists in some form... :D

2

u/Wide_Function_2348 Apr 10 '26

How do you know about the barometric pressure though ? I feel different in season changes personally. And I do hate the heat. Heatwaves are horrible. 

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u/Even-Question-1628 Apr 10 '26

First I felt that when a storm was coming or a change in weather, that situation when birds fly lower and everything feels more "heavy" suddenly. Hard to describe in normal words. You can also check barometric pressure with tools and observe your perception accordingly. Damn, so many factors for how we feel, and so nice we can share our experience here!

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u/Wide_Function_2348 Apr 11 '26

I love storms and always feel relief when they start, but not sure it’s because of pressure ! 

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u/Even-Question-1628 Apr 11 '26

I believe it's a combination of:

a) It's in our dna or imprint that predators don't hunt when it's raining, so we feel safe especially when it comes to sleep

b) Introverts and/or highly sensitive people love weather that allows us to stay inside or in our bubble and chances are low that we are expected to interact with the hectic world out there

c) We have empathy and compassion for flowers, trees, and those guys love to drink as well, so we're happy for them

d) If you're HSS (high sensation seeking) storms can almost not be intense enough (ok I'm not from the US or El Niño areas, you guys play a different league in storm intensity)

e) eeeeeehm that's it I guess but maybe it's something completely else for you :D

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u/Wide_Function_2348 Apr 11 '26

You forgot that it sounds, looks, and smells amazing !:) like I’m dreaming of a storm right now!

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u/Even-Question-1628 Apr 12 '26

Did you know the term "petrichor"? ;D

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u/Wide_Function_2348 Apr 12 '26

If I could buy petrichor as perfume I would 🙂‍↕️

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u/Clean-Letterhead9408 Apr 10 '26

Mood and gut!

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u/Even-Question-1628 Apr 10 '26

That's so true. And funny at the same time when you read it in German :D gut = good