Perhaps you wondered, “Am I an empath?” but aren’t sure. Understanding the signs you are an empath starts with recognising how you respond to the world. 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?
How do I know if I am an empath?
You are likely an empath if you don’t just observe others’ emotions but actually absorb and feel them as your own. Key signs you are an empath include feeling physically drained in large crowds, having a “gut feeling” when someone is being dishonest, and needing frequent periods of solitude in nature to recharge your energy.
Understanding the Gift of Sensitivity
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, which motivates us to reach out and help.
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 intensity of what they are feeling.
Sometimes, the signs you are an empath extend beyond mere emotions to experiencing the physical pain of someone who has been injured or physically hurt. I have a family member who has a mild disability, and I wanted to know what it was like to suffer from that. Suddenly, the disability manifested itself in the same part of my body. This allowed me to sympathise with them in a much deeper, grounded way.
10 Telling Signs You Are an Empath
If you are looking for clarity, these common signs you are an empath can help you identify your personality traits
1. Feeling overwhelmed when out in public: You are bombarded by the emotions and feelings of the people in crowded places.
2. Sensing room atmosphere: When entering a room, you can pick up on the energy within it.
3. Being a “people” magnet: People seek your counsel because you are a great listener and share heartfelt advice.
4. An affinity for nature: You have a deep need to spend time alone by the river, forest, or beach to recharge.
5. Require constant “me-time”: Despite being loving, you tend to over-commit yourself and become exhausted. To regain lost energy, you need time to be by yourself.
6. Deeply affected by world tragedy: Violence in the news feels so profound that you feel as though you are the victim.
7. Reading people on a deep level: You sense the emotions behind words and can easily pick up when you are being lied to.
8. Susceptibility to fatigue: The flood of emotions can stress your immune system if you don’t stay balanced.
9. Enthusiasm for life: When aligned, empaths are full of energy and positivity.
10. A strong dislike for conflict: Tense environments are extremely unsettling, so you have a desire to bring peace into the situation.
If you find that you can identify with several or more of the above indicators, congratulations! These are definite signs that you are an empath.
How to Protect Yourself from Energy Exhaustion
While these traits allow you to bring healing to others, 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.
Recognising the signs you are an empath is only the first step; the second is learning to protect your energy. Here is how to manage your sensitivity with healthy boundaries:
1. People are generally okay
Because of your desire to help others, you may over-commit yourself. This can lead to exhaustion and burnout. Accept that most people are okay (life is full of ups and downs for everyone), then you can learn to let go and focus on those who are truly in need.
2. 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 your heightened sensitivity, you can be more affected by energy vampires than the rest of us. Minimise contact with those who take pleasure in sucking the energy out of you.
3. Meditation
Meditating allows us to rebalance and restore energies. If you feel out of sorts, then take time out and meditate. It will leave you feeling re-energised and focused.
This is what I do: I imagine the white light of the universe flowing down through my crown chakra, cleansing and restoring all my energy points.
4. Go for a walk in nature
As I mentioned earlier, one of the signs you are an empath is your natural connection with nature. To bring balance back within your 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.
5. Solitude
Empaths absorb the energies and emotions of others like a psychic sponge. To let that extra energy disappear, you need 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.
Embrace your gift
The world is always reaching out to people who will help those who are suffering. By recognising the signs you are an empath and learning to ground yourself, you turn a potential burden into a powerful gift.
Being an empath is a gift. Embrace it, protect your peace, and use your light to heal the world.