The Highly Sensitive Person's Companion: Daily Exercises for Calming Your Senses in an Overstimulating World

I work as a psychotherapist and often see clients feeling a lot of self-reproach and poor self-esteem because they think there is something wrong with them since they are so finely attuned to their environment. They are easily overwhelmed, burnt out, or deflated due to their reactions to their home or work environments. If I suspect they may be an HSP I refer them to Dr. Zeff's book and they have reported feeling relief that there really is nothing wrong with them and that there are many people like them i.e. 20% of the population. The book offers specific strategies to cope with overstimulation which are immensely helpful.

This book is chock full of information to help the sensitive person function at an optimal level in our tense society. I've been practicing Dr. Zeff's weekly techniques and have found them helpful. One of his chapters dealing with resolving conflicts with difficult people at work has been a lifesaver. After many months of putting up with an insensitive co-worker, we now have worked out a solution and I can finally feel calm at work. That chapter alone was worth the price of the book. I have been following his suggestions of eating heavy, warm, moist foods and now feel more grounded from my new diet. I've also enjoyed practicing his different meditation techniques. So many great suggestions!

When I read Ted Zeff's book "The Highly Sensitive Person's Survival Guide" I was impressed with all of the innovative suggestions in the book. Unfortunately, just like New Year's resolutions I've made over the years, within a few weeks I found it difficult for me to keep following his many ideas for bringing more peace into my life. However, I discovered Zeff's new book, "The Highly Sensitive Person's Companion" which is just what I needed to help me maintain my commitment to make the changes that I want to implement in my life. There is a different area to focus on each week and the daily reinforcement has been so helpful to get me going in the right direction. For example, I knew that trying some of Dr.Zeff's suggestions for centering myself when I wake up and calming myself down at night would help me, but it was hard to make the changes by myself. However, by following his suggestions every day for a week, I'm now regularly following a daily routine and feel confident that I'll maintain my new schedule. This is definitely the book for you if you want to make permanent changes in your life so that you won't be knocked off center by insensitive people and too much stimulation.

"Ted Zeff is like a breath of fresh air. Whether you are new to the trait of high sensitivity, or whether you have been integrating the trait into your life for years, you will find his new book, The Highly Sensitive Person's Companion, Daily Exercises for Calming Your Senses in an Overstimulating World validating, nurturing and supportive." -Jacquelyn Strickland, LPC

I read Dr. Zeff's first book, "The Highly Sensitive Person's Survival Guide" and found his suggestions very helpful for me to cope with overstimulation as a sensitive person. "The Highly Sensitve Person's Companion" is divided into 52 weekly sections whereby the reader can spend sufficient time practicing and integrating the practical suggestions into their daily life. I've already begun to implement the ideas in the sections on calming the senses and dealing with a stressful job and find myself more centered at work and am finally able to deeply relax when I come home from my job. I'm also taking several mini-retreats during the week after which I feel revitalized and am better able to deal with my intense daily schedule. From developing a specific diet and exercise program to creating peaceful relationships, this book is truly a godsend for the sensitive person. The final section deals with the sensitive person's soul and has helped me to develop an awareness of my life's purpose and see my daily sensitivity challenges in the proper perspective.