Have you ever found yourself completely drained by the end of the day? Even if it was a good day, it still felt like a lot between the loud noises, incoming text messages and phone calls, bright lights, or your kids’ constant needs just felt so overstimulating– like a full body assault. 

As the overstimulation builds and builds with each demand, tantrum, perhaps your feelings consume you because you are feeling everything so very deeply. 

Those feelings can deplete you and make it hard to focus on anything else let alone do mom life. If you’re nodding along or suddenly feeling very seen, there’s a reason. You just might be a highly sensitive mom (also known as HSP mom). 

Take my Are You A Highly Sensitive Mom Quiz to find out if you’re an HSP Mom.

What is a Highly Sensitive Mom (HSP Mom)?

Discovering you’re a highly sensitive person or HSP isn’t a diagnosis, it’s a trait. One that isn’t rare. According to psychologist Dr. Elaine Aron, about 20 to 30% of people are highly sensitive, meaning their nervous systems are wired to pick up on everything–sounds, emotions, energy shifts, and even subtle facial expressions. Now take that heightened awareness and put it into motherhood. 

You’ve got little people who need you all the time. Noise levels that rival a rock concert and an endless stream of decisions, emotions, and messes. I mean, it’s a lot for any mom, but for an HSP mom, it can feel overwhelming real fast. 

How to Check if You’re an HSP Mom?

How do you find out if you’re a highly sensitive mom? Let’s do a self check now to see if any of these attributes of high sensitivity in motherhood resonate with you:

• You physically feel your kids’ emotions when they’re sad, stressed, or overwhelmed. It may feel like it’s happening inside of you.
• Noise, clutter, or outside stimuli make you overstimulated to the point of shutdown. You may feel like you want to retreat to a silent, dimly lit cave.
• You crave a lot of alone time. Not because you don’t love your kids, but because your brain needs a break.
• You notice subtle details that others might miss. For example, the scratchy tag on your sweater, the way your toddler’s energy shifts before a meltdown, or the subtle tension in your partner’s voice.
• You feel deeply guilty for needing more rest, more quiet, or more space than other moms seem to need just to function.

Sound familiar? You might be a highly sensitive mom. This is good news! While yes, being a highly sensitive mom and a highly sensitive person can be very overwhelming, it’s also a superpower in motherhood!

Why Your Sensitivity is Your Superpower in Motherhood

How is high sensitivity a superpower in motherhood you ask? So many reasons that stem from the reality that you are naturally designed to be an empathetic nurturing soul.

• You are likely one of the most deeply connected moms out there. 
• You’re incredibly intuitive and emotionally attuned to your kid(s)’ needs.
• You can create a home that feels safe, nurturing, and loving. 
• Your kids will likely often feel seen and heard.
• You excel at teaching empathy. 
• You can deeply foster individuality.

 Your sensitivity is such a gift, but only if you are taking care of it and yourself. If you aren’t able to access your gifts, it’s likely because you are stuck in a state of overstimulation, such as being stuck in a loop of fight or flight responses. 

You have to figure out how to make life a little bit more supportive for yourself.  So let’s talk about what actually helps HSP moms thrive. 

How to Start Caring for Yourself as an HSP Mom

As an HSP mom, your nervous system runs differently than those who are not highly sensitive. You are processing incoming information and stimuli more deeply and therefore you need more time to recover and care for your nervous system. 

Here are a few ways I recommend caring for yourself as an HSP mom.

Regulate Your Nervous System with Mid-day Resets 

Give yourself a time to pause in the middle of your day. A minute of breath work, cold water on your wrist, or stepping outside for fresh air are all great ways to incorporate this. If you are at work or in the middle of mothering, try putting in some noise reduction earbuds or your AirPods and listening to a soothing frequency.

Take Microbreaks When You Feel Tension 

One of the worst things you can do when you feel tension is push through as this only further overloads your nervous system. It can be five minutes, 10 minutes, or however long you need. This will help protect your energy. I love doing a few minutes of doodling, taking a quick walk or closing my eyes for a few minutes. 

Boundaries with Yourself and Others

Accepting that less is often more is key. You can give yourself and others more quality presence and work when you focus on being particular about what you choose to do for others. This also applies to yourself, give yourself the boundaries to receive what you need over your to-do list or letting caring for others take priority. 

Reframe your Definition of Self-care into Realistic Rhythmic Practices

Ditch the idea of only utilizing girls nights, bubble baths and pedicures for self care. It’s so much more than that. Start with identifying what restores you.

Celebrate That You’re An HSP Mom & Get Support

Remember, you’re not broken. There’s nothing wrong with you. You’re not failing at motherhood. You are simply wired differently, and that is something to embrace and celebrate, not fix. 

I’ve seen this quote floating around that I want to share the message with you. The message says how the little girls who used to cry all the time are now the ones healing the world. It’s just such an example of how you are so important, whether you’re doing it on a big scale or just with the people in your life. 

For every small act of sharing your sensitivity, it makes the world a better place and makes room for more HSP moms to feel seen and loved for who they truly are. Being highly sensitive is something to celebrate and embrace.

If you’re looking for more support in navigating the challenges that come along with being an HSP mom, you can apply for 1:1 HSP Mom Mentorship. I’ll be available regularly to support you whether you need help establishing a self care rhythm, navigating boundaries, finding your self care “thing”, or managing triggering situations just to name a few.