Empaths have a gift for intuitive insight and can feel what others are feeling. Also known as highly sensitive individuals, empaths may consider their gift as both a blessing and a curse. If not managed properly, the ability to sense other people’s emotions can easily drain an empath, leading to physical ailments such as anxiety or depression.
When it comes to emotions, empaths are highly sensitive and feel everything, sometimes to an extreme. They are also naturally giving and make excellent listeners who will be there for you in difficult situations.
If this description resonates, then you too may be an empath. As an empath, it’s important to take care of yourself, set boundaries, and to nurture your amazing gift.
Set Boundaries
As an empath, you may have difficulty saying no and setting personal boundaries, perhaps because you fear being perceived as selfish or self-absorbed. However, empaths tend to give too much space to others. They work to solve others’ problems and restore balance and positive energy, frequently at their own expense. Empaths often feel exhausted and drained, worn out by emotions and unable to help anyone.
Saying yes all the time because you want other people to feel happy is not the best thing for you. It’s ok to be true to yourself and just say no. Loving yourself means making yourself happy first. Making yourself happy will, in turn, help you radiate kindness and joy to others and increase your healing power as an empath. Attempting to do everything for everyone else and nothing for yourself will leave you drained and exhausted. Take some time to prioritize and to set the boundaries you need to take care of yourself.
Find Quiet Time
Some quiet time for yourself can allow you to decompress emotionally. Take calming short breaks throughout the day to breathe in fresh air, stretch, and take a short walk. Remind yourself of how amazing you are and how much you are doing for other people.
Practice meditation, even for a few minutes a day. Other activities, such as yoga and listening to music can also help you de-stress and re-center. Studies have shown that meditation and yoga improve self-esteem levels, which is a problem many empaths face. In fact, low self-esteem in empaths is common due to their inability to manage their intense sensitivity. Developing a healthy self-esteem is a powerful tool in fighting depression, another issue empaths often face.
Safeguard Your Empathetic Needs
Empaths are often labeled as shy, introverted, and too sensitive (often with a negative connotation). Their whole lives, they try to be tougher and do everything not to feel. For some reason, there is a belief that being too sensitive is wrong.
There is nothing wrong with being too sensitive. As an empath, you do need to learn to identify situations that drain you and limit your exposure. Crowds and parties, for example, can be overwhelming. Learn where your comfort level is for socializing and make sure you have an alternate transportation plan to get out whenever you want.
Strong smells and perfumes can also be overwhelming. Explain the situation to your friends and ask them to wear less perfume when around you. If it’s impossible to avoid, stand near a window or take frequent short outdoor breaks.
Taking Care of Yourself is a Necessity, Not an Option!
In order to help others, you need to help yourself first. It isn’t selfish to give yourself the love you truly need and deserve. As an empath, it’s essential to living a balanced and healthy life.
About Guest Blogger Jackie Edwards
After taking a career sabbatical to become a mother, Jackie now writes full time on topics ranging from health and wellness, right through to news and current affairs. She has, in the past, battled problems with anxiety and panic, and in her spare time, she volunteers for a number of local charities that support people with mental health issues.
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