Can you read others emotions instantly? Are you highly attuned to others needs, before they even say anything? If so, you may be an Empath. Read on to understand what it means and how to practice self care. It is a blessing and a curse, to feel everything so very deeply.
According to top doc Judith Orloff MD – ”Empaths are highly sensitive, finely tuned instruments when it comes to emotions. They feel everything, sometimes to an extreme, and are less apt to intellectualize feelings. Intuition is the filter through which they experience the world. Empaths are naturally giving, spiritually attuned, and good listeners. If you want heart, empaths have got it. Through thick and thin, they’re there for you, world-class nurturers”.
So basically an Empath is a sensitive soul, who can pick up on energy and vibrations of others, instantly. This can be both a blessing and a curse, as they are extremely aware and sensitive. Life as an empath can be tough on some individuals however. A fun individual, they are often very popular and attract friends easily. They enjoy caring and giving to others, however this can mean the Empath may become a magnet for emotional vampires, often feeling drained and exhausted.
When empaths absorb the impact of stressful emotions, it can trigger panic attacks, depression, food, sex and drug binges, and a plethora of physical symptoms that defy traditional medical diagnosis from fatigue to agorophobia. Learning self care and wellness routines are essential to finding balance.
Ask yourself:
Have I been labeled as “too emotional” or overly sensitive?
If a friend is distraught, do I start feeling it too?
Are my feelings easily hurt?
Am I emotionally drained by crowds, require time alone to revive?
Do my nerves get jarred by noise, smells, or excessive talk?
Do I prefer taking my own car places so that I can leave when I please?
Do I overeat to cope with emotional stress?
Am I afraid of becoming engulfed by intimate relationships?
If you say YES to 1-3 you are part empath. If you say YES to over 3, you have found your emotional type.
How An Empath Can Find Find Balance
Allow quiet time to emotionally decompress. Get in the habit of taking calming mini-breaks throughout the day. Breathe in some fresh air. Stretch. Take a short walk around the office. These interludes will reduce the excessive stimulation of going non-stop.
Practice guerilla meditation. To counter emotional overload, act fast and meditate for a few minutes. This centers your energy so you don’t take it on from others.
Define and honor your empathic needs. Safeguard your sensitivities. Here’s how.If someone asks too much of you, politely tell them “no.” It’s not necessary to explain why. As the saying goes, “No is a complete sentence.”
If your comfort level is three hours max for socializing–even if you adore the people–take your own car or have an alternate transportation plan so you’re not stranded.
If crowds are overwhelming, eat a high-protein meal beforehand (this grounds you)
If you feel nuked by perfume, nicely request that your friends refrain from wearing it around you. If you can’t avoid it, stand near a window or take frequent breaks to catch a breath of fresh air outdoors.
If you overeat to numb negative emotions, practice the guerilla meditation mentioned above, before you’re lured to the refrigerator, a potential vortex of temptation. As an emergency measure, keep a cushion by the fridge so you can be poised to meditate instead of binge.
Carve out private space at home. Then you won’t be stricken by the feeling of too much togetherness.
Spend time with your pet – my pug, Piglet, brings me so much peace and calm…I highly recommend getting a pet for emotional support if you are able to do so.
Judith Orloff, MD is the New York Times best-selling author of The Empath’s Survival Guide: Life Strategies for Sensitive People. Her new book Thriving as an Empath offers daily self-care tools for sensitive people along with its companion The Empath’s Empowerment Journal. Dr. Orloff is a psychiatrist, an empath, and is on the UCLA Psychiatric Clinical Faculty. She synthesizes the pearls of traditional medicine with cutting edge knowledge of intuition, energy, and spirituality.