How HSPs connect with nature – an interesting perspective

As an HSP, I suspect you already know you have an affinity with nature.

What you may not have thought about is how that connection might be of interest to others.

Like a research team (Holzer, Dale and Baird) at Brock University in Canada.

They believe a better understanding of human-nature connections can help inform policies, practice and leadership in the field of environmental sustainability.

They’ve decided to take a novel approach – looking at sub-groups within the population to identify what their connection with nature is.  And not the usual characteristics like age or gender …

No, they chose to begin with HSPs (or people with sensory processing sensitivity – the scientific name for being highly sensitive).

Why? Because sensitivity is believed to be closely tied with pro-environment behaviours.

And because HSPs are 20-30% of the population; and many HSPs don’t know they are so don’t make the connection between themselves, their sensitivity and nature.

The researchers looked at connection with nature across five dimensions:

Material – attitudes and behaviours around use of nature’s resources

Experiential – direct interaction with the natural environment

Cognitive – knowledge/awareness of the environment & attitudes/values towards it

Emotional – feelings of attachment or empathy

Philosophical – what nature is, why it matters & how we relate to it

The study found that the higher a person’s sensitivity, the greater the connection with nature; and the greater the consistency of connections across the five dimensions.

In contrast, less sensitive people connect at lower levels and with more variation across the dimensions.

So HSPs may be well-suited to working and leading in sustainability or contributing to developments.  More research is needed to explore that potential.

For now, you can find an article and the report (published in June 2024) here.

I think the study is really validating for HSPs too because:

It’s  unusual for us to be thought of as the ‘go-to’ subgroup in the context of making things better

It’s wonderful to see sensitivity recognised as having such value

It’s encouraging to see HSPs considered as potential leaders

The five dimensions help us understand the strands and nuances of our connection better

In recognising that our sensitivity makes us vulnerable too, the study helps explain the ‘eco’ anxiety and distress many HSPs feel at what is happening to the natural world

For me, the research has the feel of honouring the link between HSPs and our precious planet.  Our symbiotic relationship.

And the truth is, we need each other.

(Photo: courtesy of Sheila Adam).