Perhaps you wondered “Am I an empath?” but aren’t sure. Well, have you ever felt a strong emotion that you knew was being experienced by the person you are with? When you walk into a room can you get a sense of the atmosphere in the room? Do you feel overwhelmed in crowded places because you are picking up the feelings and thoughts of the people in the crowd? If so, then chances are you are an empath.
Sensitive people
Empathy is the ability to understand and experience the emotions that others are feeling. We all show some form of it. We see someone suffering and feel sadness which motivates us to to reach out and help the person.
However, empaths are individuals who have a natural ability to sense the feelings, emotions and energies of other people and places on a profound level. They can be called “too sensitive” because of the overwhelming emotions they feel.
Sometimes the feelings of an empath extend beyond mere emotions to experiencing the physical pain of someone who has been injured or physically hurt. I have someone who has a mild disability and wanted to know what it was like to suffer from that. Suddenly I sensed the disability in my body and could understand and sympathise with the person in a greater way.
So, how do you know if you are an empath?
Indications you are an empath
As mentioned, empaths can feel other people’s emotions on a deeper level. The feeling can be so profound for the empath that they think that it is their own emotion that they are experiencing.
Other common signs shared amongst empaths are:
- Feeling overwhelmed when out in public, especially in crowded places. The empath is bombarded by the emotions and feelings of the people that surround them when in public places.
- They can feel the atmosphere of a room, whether positive or negative. Empaths are sensitive to the residue energies within the room.
- People come and share with you and seek your counsel because you are a great listener and share heartfelt advice.
- They have an affinity for animals and nature. Empaths have a deep attraction to nature and need to spend time alone either at the river, in the forest or at the beach. This allows them to recharge and rebalance.
- Need “me-time”. Though empaths are loving, sometimes they over-commit themselves and become exhausted. To regain lost energy, empaths need to have time to be by themselves.
- Are deeply affected by the violence and tragedy that they see in the world. The effect on the empath is so profound that they feel as though they are the victim.
- Can read a person on a deep level because they can sense the emotions behind the words that they are being told. Empaths can easily pick up when they are being lied to.
- Empaths are susceptible to illness and disease. The amount of emotions that flood the empath, means that they become depressed and stressed which affects their immune system.
- Have an enthusiasm for life because empaths are full of energy and positivity.
- Don’t like conflict. Empaths find tense environments extremely unsettling, so they have a desire to bring peace into the situation.
If you find that you can identify with several or more of the above indicators, then you are most likely an empath! Congratulations!
You need to protect yourself
As you have seen, empaths are constantly showered by the emotions of the people around them. This allows them to understand what others are experiencing and therefore can provide advice and healing.
However, the barrage of emotions can take its toll on empaths. Some empaths resort to drugs and alcohol as a means to deal with the overwhelming flood of feelings. Also, the onslaught of energy can affect the health of the empath.
Here are some ways that empaths can use to protect themselves from the ongoing assault of emotions, feelings and energies that they face.
People are generally okay
Because of their love and their desire to help others, empaths can over-commit themselves as they try and help as many people as possible. This can lead to exhaustion and burnout. If empaths accept that most people are okay (life is full of ups and downs for everyone), then they can learn to let go and focus on those who are truly in need of guidance and counsel.
Avoid energy vampires
Have you ever been around someone who seems to suck all the energy out of you and leave you feeling completely drained? You have just been the victim of an energy vampire. Because of their heightened sensitivity empaths can be affected by energy vampires than the rest of us. For empaths to protect themselves, they need to avoid (or minimise) contact with those who take pleasure in sucking the energy out of them.
Meditation
Meditating allows us to rebalance and restore energies. If an empath feels out of sorts, then take time out and meditate. It will leave you feeling re-energised and focused.
This is what I do. I can feel drained when in a crowded place and need to refill myself. I take time out to meditate and imagine the white light of the universe flowing down through my crown chakra cleansing and restoring all my energy points.
Go for a walk in nature
As I mentioned earlier, one trait of empaths is their natural connection with nature. To bring balance back within the empath’s energies, go for a walk in nature. Take a stroll along the beach or take a wander through the forest and the environment to wash over you, cleanse you and ground you.
Solitude
Empaths absorb the energies and emotions of others like a psychic sponge. To let that extra energy disappear, the empath needs to spend time alone. Sometimes this can be hard to do if you are in an intimate relationship, but it’s necessary to separate yourself and just be by yourself in an environment that will allow you to relax and release the energies that have taken on. You can let people know that you just need some “alone time”.
I do this frequently and enjoy it so much. Don’t think you are being selfish, it’s you taking time to reset yourself so that you can be of service to others. That’s selfless and caring!
Because empaths are so willing to help others, they usually neglect the most important person of all…themselves. By protecting yourself, you are ensuring that you are balanced, energised and in harmony with the world around you. Then you can reach out in compassion and love and assist those who need your advice.
The world needs empaths
The world is always reaching out to people that will help those who are suffering. Empaths have the unique ability to pick up on the subtle energies and emotions of those around them and feel those emotions on a fundamental level that moves the empath to take action to alleviate the suffering.
If you are an empath and feel that you are struggling and drowning against the tide of energy that floods you every day, then make sure that you protect and ground yourself. Choosing those you interact with, taking time to go out and enjoy and reconnect with nature, withdrawing yourself for some time alone and meditating will ensure that you deal with any excessive energies and emotions that you have absorbed.
Being an empath is a gift. Embrace it and release it to heal the world.
spiritually.enlightened.being 