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
  • 4.9 (37)
  • SELF-IMPROVEMENT
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

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. 1D AGO

    #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

  2. 3D AGO

    #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.

    17 min

  3. 5D AGO

    #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

  4. FEB 6

    #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

  5. FEB 4

    #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

  6. FEB 2

    #343 | How to Deepen Your Relationship This Valentine's Day Through Inner Work as an HSP

    Are you a Highly Sensitive Person under stress? Find out—take the free test at https://trueinnerfreedom.com/hsp-stress-test/ Are you craving deeper connection in your relationship—but feel stuck waiting for your partner to change? If you've ever felt emotionally distant from your partner and wondered why your efforts to fix things keep falling flat, this episode is for you. Especially around tender moments like Valentine's Day, highly sensitive people can feel the ache of disconnection more intensely. But what if the answer isn't changing the relationship, but transforming how you relate to yourself? In this episode, you'll discover: Why trying to "fix" your partner can actually drive more distance between you. The hidden belief that keeps HSPs dependent on their partner for emotional depth—and how to break free from it. How doing your own inner work can lead to more authentic closeness, even if your partner isn't on the same journey. Tune in now to experience how connection becomes possible—not by changing them, but by reconnecting with you. 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

  7. JAN 30

    #342 | How to Stop Taking Criticism Personally (Even If It Is Personal) So You Can Reduce Overwhelm as a Highly Sensitive Person

    Build an emotional buffer between criticism and collapse. Get the Emotional Buffer Builder: https://trueinnerfreedom.com/emotional-buffer/   How Do You Stop Taking Criticism Personally—Even When It Is Personal? If you've ever replayed a single comment in your head for hours, wondering why it hurt so much, you're not alone—and this episode is for you. As a highly sensitive person, the sting of judgment can feel overwhelming, even when you know it shouldn't get to you. But telling yourself to "just get over it" often does more harm than good. In this episode, you'll learn: Why "don't take it personally" backfires when the criticism is real. How to stop emotionally abandoning yourself just to stay composed. The secret to creating internal space between a hurtful comment and your response—so you don't spiral. Press play to build your emotional buffer and stay grounded the next time someone's words cut deep. 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.

    12 min

  8. JAN 28

    #341 | What Depth of Processing Looks Like in Everyday Life for Highly Sensitive People & How to Fully Appreciate It

    Are you a Highly Sensitive Person under stress? Find out—take the free test at https://trueinnerfreedom.com/hsp-stress-test/ If you've ever been told you're "too sensitive," "too slow to decide," or that you "read too much into things," this episode will feel like coming home. Discover how one of the most powerful traits of highly sensitive people — depth of processing — is not a flaw, but a form of inner wisdom that can transform the way you engage with life. In this episode, you'll uncover: How to recognize depth of processing in your everyday thoughts, decisions, and relationships Why this trait is often misunderstood as overthinking or indecision — and how to tell the difference Practical ways to stop apologizing for your sensitivity and start honoring your thoughtful pace Listen now to discover how your deepest trait is actually your greatest strength. 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
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4.9
out of 5
37 Ratings

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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