What's Vital to Know, if You're an Empath

Empaths are sometimes considered, old souls, healers, and caretakers. You can find empaths in every walk of life—and they often feel a greater depth of emotional pain because they can experience the world very deeply. Empathic people tend to cry easily at sad movies, and also weep with tears of joy at happy occasions. They can also get passionately angry when they see social injustice. They are highly sensitive to their environment and very tuned into the energies of those around them.

If you feel you are more empathic in nature, you might be the type of person who is always there for your friends and family, always ready to lend a listening ear or a helping hand. People might tell you, “you wear your heart on your sleeve”. While being an empath can be a wonderful gift, and one which our world needs more of, you may find you become more easily overwhelmed by other people’s emotions, and this overwhelm, can take a toll on your emotional well-being if you are not careful. If you recognize your sensitive, empathic nature, you need to make self-care a priority in your life. Here's why:

Empaths tend to absorb the emotions of those around them, like a sponge, which can lead to feelings of anxiety, stress, and even depression. When you are constantly surrounded by the negative emotions of others, it can be difficult to maintain a positive outlook on life. That's why it's so important to find ways to ground yourself, be out in nature’s healing energy, to oxygenate with deep breaths, and disconnect from the distress and negativity around you. Taking some time for yourself—even if it's just 10-15 minutes each day—can make a world of difference. Believe me, I know, because I am very empathic, and even though I am naturally drawn to love and care for people, I have learned over the years how challenging, yet how crucial it is, to holistically care for myself as much as possible.

There are many ways to practice self-care as an empath. Meditation, journaling, and spending time in nature are all great options. It's also important to limit your exposure to negative news and “energy vampires” (people who drain your energy and may, or may not, be aware of it). Seek out positive people who can uplift you, and don't be afraid to say no, when you need some time to yourself, while ignoring those pangs of guilt. Remember, self-care is not selfish—it's necessary in order to maintain your mental and emotional health. Here are some more self-care strategies:

1. Set boundaries with the people in your life.

It is important to set boundaries so that you are not constantly absorbing the emotions of those around you. When you feel yourself getting overwhelmed, take a step back and remind the person that you need some time to yourself. It is also important to set boundaries in your relationships so that you provide space for your own thoughts and feelings. If you're dating someone new, make sure they respect your need for alone time, and who doesn’t take it personally when you need to recharge – this is actually, priority information when someone is getting to know you.

2. Find a hobby or activity that is solely for you.

An activity that is just for you and that doesn’t involve other people becomes your solace, your meditative and spiritual clearing time. This activity can be something as simple as reading, going for walks, or painting. Doing things that make you happy, increases your energy and overall relaxation, will help to balance out the distressing emotions that you may have absorbed from others.

3. Take care of your physical health.

Empathetic people tend to pour all of their energy into taking care of others and they often forget to take care of themselves. Consistently putting your needs on the back burner isn’t going to serve you. It will, in fact, diminish your overall energy to nourish others when you really need to. Make sure you are eating healthy foods, exercising, and getting enough sleep. Taking care of your physical health will help to reduce the amount of stress in your life and will leave you feeling more mentally balanced.

Conclusion:

Although I tended to spend a lot of alone when I was a young child, I didn’t understand how sensitive and empathic I was, until later on, when someone recognized it in me. Then, it began to make complete sense as to why I was prone to experience forms of emotional overwhelm and sometimes exhaustion at various times, in my life. Once I learned of being very empathic, my own self-care routines became far more realistic and helpful to me. That doesn’t mean today, I have my self-care needs figured out instantly in each moment. Being an empath, when the world is ever-changing, will always be challenging for me, but having this information to guide me, makes me far more proactive and effective in my self-care routines.

I believe that once you understand and respect your inherent sensitivities, or your “vulnerabilities” as perceived in this world, they can then become your strengths, integrated into the wholeness and richness of your being human.

So, if you are an empath, self-care really needs to be a priority in your life. Admittedly, self-care can seem like a luxury right now, when we are far more aware of so many in need —but, it’s actually essential for those who give so much of themselves on a daily basis. Being an empathic person calls for you to value and respect your sensitivities, by prioritizing your own well-being. If you can commit to carving out time each day for yourself—no distractions allowed, you’ll be well on your way! By regularly practicing self-care, in whatever works best for you, you can prevent emotional exhaustion, maintain healthy boundaries, and stay connected with what truly matters in life.

Barbara Halcrow

Barbara believes that by offering ourselves more care and self-nourishment we will gain in personal strength and resilience. In this way, we can create swifter, positive changes in our lives, and we can also positively affect the lives of others.

Don’t forget to have your own “recess time” and add play to your day!

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