[Note: I originally posted this on the community hsp_women but as of this writing the place is being shut down, so I'm reposting it here for future reference. HSP = Highly Sensitive Person, in case you wondered.]

Here's a little something that I came up with that worked great for me and may help other HSPs out there.

If you've ever had one of those weeks when you're so overwhelmed and completely frazzled and you'd love nothing more than to take a long vacation somewhere, but that's not exactly an option for you, try this:

On your day off, schedule a period of at least two hours. I've done this for as many as four hours. Set a specific time and declare "from this time, to this time, I will do this."

Set a timer. Clear your bed. Have a glass of water handy, if you need it.

Now, here's what you do:

Nothing.

Absolutely nothing.

Do not watch television. Do not get on the internet. Do not read. Don't even listen to music. Just sit or lie down on the bed and stay there until the timer goes off.

If you've had a rough week, or are having a rough time, your mind will probably be whirling at a million miles an hour. Let it. But don't do anything. Do not leave the bed, except to go to the bathroom, and when you're done, go right back to bed. Go ahead and lie down and take a nap, if you're inclined. Or just sit there. When your guilty little voice says you need to be doing something, tell yourself "I can't do that right now. I'm doing Nothing right now." If you get bored or restless, or want to pick up a book or something, again, tell yourself, "I'll do that when I'm finished doing Nothing."

Keep it like an appointment and stick to it. And lean back and enjoy the liberation that comes with doing Nothing. Doze, meditate or just let your mind wander, but don't leave the bed and don't add any stimulation to your senses.

When the timer goes off, you are free to do whatever you like. You can leave, you can pick up a book, you can clean up that mess that's making you crazy, whatever. Or you can keep doing Nothing. But if it works for you like it did for me, you'll be feeling a lot more refreshed than when you started. Indeed, if you do it for long enough, you'll be chomping at the bit to DO something! And that's the great thing about it.

Try it and let me know how it worked for you.