I gotta say, the popularization of the term “self care” has definitely made me feel better about my obsession with self help books. (What made them get such a bad rep? The 80s in general?) I’ve always been into personal development (INFJ right here), but I think learning about my sensitivity and what it means to be an empath has been the most life-changing discovery I’ve made along the journey. So many labels are put on us that we spend most of our adult lives trying to shake. Having concepts to define the parts of me that I truly, intuitively, identify with—that I discovered about myself, no one else—is empowering and comforting, even when it reveals my own blindspots, shadows, and challenges.
In essence, reading self care books specifically written for Highly Sensitive People has taught me so much about myself and human nature in general. And it all began with Elaine Aron’s groundbreaking piece, The Highly Sensitive Person: How To Thrive When The World Overwhelms You.
Once I learned about the trait of high sensitivity, I began to realize that in addition, I am highly empathetic. From what I’ve learned, not all HSPs are empaths, but for those of us who are, it’s certainly difficult to draw a line between the two. The sensitivity in HSP refers to sensitivity of all kinds: emotional and physical, so it encompasses the gifts and challenges of extreme empathy within it. It’s important to remember that like all personality traits, sensitivity and empathy are best seen on a spectrum. Further, we’re all in different places of discovery when it comes to our own inner workings, so we identify with it at varying times in our lives.
If you’re interested in learning more about these traits, whether within yourself or those you spend time with, here are a couple of my favorite self care books and many more on my reading list.
best self care books for highly sensitive people and empaths
The Empowered Highly Sensitive Person Workbook by Amanda Cassil is a workbook for those who experience intense emotional sensitivity with practical, researched-backed exercises to empower you.
Highly Sensitive People in an Insensitive World by Ilse Sand teaches us how to find happiness, calm, and empowerment in a world that’s often overwhelming.
The Highly Sensitive Person by Elaine N Aron is the ultimate introduction to high sensitivity, originally published in 1997. Aron has dedicated her life to studying the psychology of sensitivity. What I loved most about this book is that she gives us the foundation to see our sensitivity as a personality trait: both highly sensitive, and less sensitive people have a place in this world, just as both extraverts and introverts do.
The Empath’s Survival Guide by Judith Orloff wraps self-assessment exercises, practical tools and strategies, and resources for staying fully open and true to ourselves while building resilience for the challenges it presents in all areas: work, parenting relationships, intimacy. She defines being an Empath as, “We actually feel others’ emotions, energy, and physical symptoms in our own bodies, without the usual defenses that most people have.”
Sensitive is the New Strong by Anita Moorjani offers insight into how to protect your energy, find your power, and live authentically as a person who experiences the sensory overload and emotional burden of high sensitivity.
Self-care for Empaths by Tanya Carroll Richardson is a simple, easy-to-digest (and therefore good for those days when you don’t feel like self care is even an option emotionally) book full of 100 activities to help you recharge and rebalance.
The Emotionally Sensitive Person by psychologist Karyn D Hall helps sensitives manage the onslaught of emotions that come with sensitivity with proven cognitive behavioral and mindfulness techniques.
Empath by Judy Dyer is an empowering read for anyone discovering their empathetic nature, encouraging you to embrace your gifts and turn your ability to tune-into the emotions and needs of others into “something beautiful.”
Understand Emotional Sensitivity by Imi Lo is a Teach Yourself book intended to increase your understanding of emotional sensitivity by reflecting on your past and limiting beliefs, developing resilience, and liberating your creative potential.
Empath Healing by Marianne Gracie is a complete emotional healing guide for HSPs and Empaths which focuses on “the emotional healing which Empaths require to help them build up the inner strength to go out into the world as their best selves.”
Highly Intuitive People by Heidi Sawyer focuses on HSPs that are also highly intuitive, and teaches how to become a happier, more empowered intuitive.
The Healed Empath by Kristen Schwartz is a forthcoming (January 2022) guide to transforming trauma and anxiety, trusting your intuition, and moving from overwhelm to empowerment. Topics include setting boundaries, transcending unresolved trauma, and strengthening self-reliance. I cannot wait to read!
Have you read any of these self care book for HSPs and Empaths? And if you have any more to add to this list, let us know and we’ll edit the post!
