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

Todd Smith, founder of True Inner Freedom
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As a highly sensitive person, are you looking for a more effective way to cope with stress and negative emotions? This show helps highly sensitive people avoid overwhelm, eliminate stress, and find true inner freedom. Listen to discover: • Specific stress management strategies to avoid overwhelm as an HSP • Real stories and insights to inspire your own inner freedom • Powerful ways to understand and embrace your sensitivity Todd Smith, your host and founder of True Inner Freedom, has been helping people reduce stress through The Work of Byron Katie since 2007—a powerful practice for questioning the thoughts that cause suffering. Each week, you'll hear three episodes designed to support your inner freedom as an HSP: • Breakthrough Mondays feature success stories and insights to inspire your growth. • Self-Compassion Wednesdays explore the unique traits of high sensitivity and offer deeper self-understanding. • Strategy Fridays focus on practical tools and stress management strategies to help you stay balanced and grounded. If you're ready to transform your inner experience, start by listening to Episode 189, "The 3 Pillars of Stress Management for HSPs: A Path to Emotional Balance​."

  1. 2 DAYS AGO

    #351 | Why HSPs Burn Out Trying to Be Impressive & How to Redefine Safety in a Way That Lets You Rest Again

    Are you a Highly Sensitive Person under stress? Find out—take the free test at https://trueinnerfreedom.com/hsp-stress-test/ Are You Burning Out Trying to Be "Capable"? Do you find yourself constantly holding everything together — not because you want to, but because you feel you have to? If you're a highly sensitive person, your drive to be competent might actually be wearing you down. This episode dives into a powerful truth many HSPs live with but rarely name: the unspoken belief that being impressive equals being safe. Todd Smith, a fellow HSP and facilitator of The Work of Byron Katie, unpacks how this conditioning creates invisible labor, chronic tension, and a nervous system that never truly rests — even on vacation. In this episode, you'll discover: Why capability becomes a survival strategy for HSPs — and the toll it quietly takes on your body. How invisible labor shows up in emotional tracking, over-functioning, and chronic background effort. What it really takes to rest without guilt — by shifting responsibility from yourself to reliable systems and support. Press play now to learn how redefining safety can help you finally relax — without needing to earn it first. 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.

    19 min

  2. 4 DAYS AGO

    #350 | How to Be Empathic Without Losing Yourself as an HSP So You Can Support Others Without Absorbing Their Stress

    Are you a Highly Sensitive Person under stress? Find out—take the free test at https://trueinnerfreedom.com/empath-survival-kit/ Are You Losing Yourself in Other People's Emotions? If you're a highly sensitive person (HSP), do you often feel drained after being there for someone? What if your empathy isn't the problem—but the way you're carrying it is? In this episode of Self-Compassion Wednesdays, we explore the fine line between empathy and emotional merging. Many HSPs unknowingly absorb others' emotions so deeply that they lose their sense of self—leading to burnout, relationship strain, and emotional shutdown. But it doesn't have to be that way. You'll discover: The hidden signs that your empathy has crossed into emotional enmeshment. A powerful body-based technique to stay grounded even during someone else's emotional storm. How to maintain a deep connection with others without losing yourself in the process. Listen now to learn how to stay empathic, supportive, and connected—while protecting your own emotional well-being. 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.

    15 min

  3. 6 DAYS AGO

    #349 | Why Work Follows You Home as an HSP Even When You Stop Working & How to Finally Feel Off-Duty

    Are you a Highly Sensitive Person under stress? Find out—take the free test at https://trueinnerfreedom.com/hsp-stress-test/ Why You Still Feel "On Duty" After Work (Even When You're Not) Why does it feel like work is still happening—mentally and physically—even after you've logged off? If you're a highly sensitive person (HSP), ending the workday isn't as simple as closing your laptop. For many HSPs, the stress and sense of responsibility don't clock out—they linger in the body, hijacking your downtime and robbing you of true rest. Learn the hidden ways your nervous system stays on call even when the day is done. Discover why task completion isn't enough—and how emotional residue, mental rehearsal, and hyper-responsibility keep you tethered to work. Explore a practical, gentle system to finally feel off duty—without needing more discipline or rigid routines. Listen now to reclaim your evenings and weekends with a powerful yet simple shift that frees your body and mind from the invisible weight of always being "on." 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.

    17 min

  4. 13 FEB

    #348 | The Hidden Stress of Love for HSPs & How to Ease It So You Can Relax Into Real Connection

    Are you a Highly Sensitive Person under stress? Find out—take the free test at https://trueinnerfreedom.com/program/ Are You Managing Your Relationship More Than You're Experiencing It? If love often feels like a full-time job instead of a safe, nourishing space—and you find yourself constantly anticipating your partner's moods, hiding your own needs, or feeling emotionally wiped out—this episode was made for you. Even healthy relationships can be overstimulating for highly sensitive people. In this episode, you'll uncover the hidden emotional burdens HSPs often carry in love—and how those invisible stressors quietly drain your energy, create imbalance, and lead to self-abandonment. Here's what you'll gain from tuning in: A deeper understanding of why love feels overwhelming—and how to ease that tension without losing connection. Specific mindset shifts that help you stop absorbing your partner's emotions and start honoring your own. Practical tools to stop managing the relationship and start actually experiencing it with presence and ease. Press play now to discover how to stay connected in love without abandoning yourself in the process. 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.

    15 min

  5. 11 FEB

    #347 | Why Love Feels So Big for Highly Sensitive People & How to Honor That Without Feeling Too Much

    Are you a Highly Sensitive Person under stress? Find out—take the free test at https://trueinnerfreedom.com/hsp-stress-test/ Why Do You Still Feel "On" After Work Hours — Even When You're Off the Clock? Ever shut your laptop at the end of the day, only to find your mind still racing and your body still bracing? For highly sensitive people, the workday often lingers long past its scheduled end. In this episode of Stress Management for Highly Sensitive People, you'll discover why your nervous system might still be "on duty" — even when your calendar says you're done. If you're an HSP who struggles to truly feel off-duty, this episode offers an eye-opening look at the unseen ways responsibility lives in your body and how to finally set it down. Listen to learn: Why HSPs don't just manage tasks — they carry emotional residue, even after hours The subtle but powerful signals your body sends when work hasn't truly ended A sustainable approach to off-time that doesn't rely on more discipline or new habits Press play to discover how to create real closure at the end of your workday — and finally give your body permission to exhale.   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.

    15 min

  6. 9 FEB

    #346 | How to Love Your Partner Without Taking On What's Not Yours as a Highly Sensitive Person

    Are you a Highly Sensitive Person under stress? Find out—take the free test at https://trueinnerfreedom.com/relationship-reset/ Are You Losing Yourself While Trying to Be a Loving Partner? If you're a highly sensitive person, supporting your partner emotionally can sometimes mean losing touch with your own center. This episode explores why loving too much can lead to emotional burnout—and how to stay grounded while still being deeply caring. What you'll gain from this episode: How to recognize when you've crossed the line from support into over-responsibility Why emotional merging may feel like connection but often leads to overwhelm A simple yet powerful practice to stay rooted in your own energy during emotionally intense moments Listen now to learn how to care deeply without carrying what's not yours—so you can love fully and freely without losing yourself.   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.

    16 min

  7. 6 FEB

    #345 | How to Communicate with Your Partner to Cultivate Deep Connection — Especially for Highly Sensitive People

    Are you a Highly Sensitive Person under stress? Find out—take the free test at https://trueinnerfreedom.com/hsp-stress-test/ Are your most heartfelt conversations with your partner falling flat — even when you say all the right things? When you're a highly sensitive person, emotional connection can feel more like a minefield than a bridge. This episode unpacks why communication that looks good on the surface can quietly erode intimacy, and what to do instead. In this episode, you'll discover: Why emotional connection is built on presence, not perfect phrasing — and how to lead with authenticity. Subtle habits that may be weakening your relationships, even when your intentions are loving. Three practical strategies to deepen closeness with your partner — no fixing, coaching, or changing them required. Tune in now to learn how to build real connection through emotional clarity, grounded presence, and heartfelt honesty — even in your most vulnerable moments. 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.

    17 min

  8. 4 FEB

    #344 | Why You Crave Deeper Love Than Most People Can Give as a Highly Sensitive Person & How to Find It

    Are you a Highly Sensitive Person under stress? Find out—take the free test at https://trueinnerfreedom.com/program/ Are you craving a deeper emotional connection but constantly feeling unseen—even in a loving relationship? If you're a highly sensitive person (HSP), your longing for emotional depth isn't just valid—it's how you're wired. This episode sheds light on why that craving can feel unmet, even in seemingly "good" relationships, and what to do about it. In this episode, you'll discover: Why HSPs often feel emotionally underfed in relationships, even with kind, supportive partners The hidden emotional patterns—like people-pleasing and emotional over-responsibility—that quietly block intimacy How to reclaim your emotional truth and invite deeper connection without needing your partner to change Listen now to understand how to stop shrinking, over-functioning, or second-guessing your needs—and start creating the emotional closeness you deserve.   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.

    16 min
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About

As a highly sensitive person, are you looking for a more effective way to cope with stress and negative emotions? This show helps highly sensitive people avoid overwhelm, eliminate stress, and find true inner freedom. Listen to discover: • Specific stress management strategies to avoid overwhelm as an HSP • Real stories and insights to inspire your own inner freedom • Powerful ways to understand and embrace your sensitivity Todd Smith, your host and founder of True Inner Freedom, has been helping people reduce stress through The Work of Byron Katie since 2007—a powerful practice for questioning the thoughts that cause suffering. Each week, you'll hear three episodes designed to support your inner freedom as an HSP: • Breakthrough Mondays feature success stories and insights to inspire your growth. • Self-Compassion Wednesdays explore the unique traits of high sensitivity and offer deeper self-understanding. • Strategy Fridays focus on practical tools and stress management strategies to help you stay balanced and grounded. If you're ready to transform your inner experience, start by listening to Episode 189, "The 3 Pillars of Stress Management for HSPs: A Path to Emotional Balance​."

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