Being an Empath
Have you ever had people tell you that you are too emotional? That you are too sensitive? Or have you ever found yourself feeling the same way a close friend or family member is feeling, even though their situation does not affect you? If you feel a strong emotional connection, then you may belong to the exclusive group of people called Empaths.
What is an Empath?
An empath is a highly sensitive person who can sense what people are feeling around them. They can sense the energies and emotions from others and, often, start to experience the same emotional spike. Empaths are keenly aware of the world around them and see the world differently compared to ordinary people. Empaths do not just feel emotions but can feel the intentions people have before the person acts on them. If an Empath tells you that someone is lying or they are uncertain of the actions of another, you best listen to what they say to keep yourself out of trouble.
Empaths make great friends, though, as they are great listeners and are always there to support their friends in need. Due to their abilities to sense and feel emotions from others, they can provide highly beneficial advice and may even offer to help their friends and family, no matter the cost.
But, Empaths are highly critical on themselves. When they are not able to control the powerful emotions, they can feel worse pains than the main person is feeling. They may suffer from anxiety, anger, paranoia, and other harsh emotions due to not being fully in control of their own emotions. It is also hard for Empaths to set limits for themselves due to having a strong need and desire to help. Empaths often feel drained and may have difficulty being in crowded environments due to being attacked continuously by varying emotions. Empaths often feel comfortable surrounded by nature as there are no emotions influencing them other than their own, and they are finally able to find peace.
Some Signs You Are An Empath
If you feel like you may be an Empath, but are not entirely sure yet, here are some signs that you are an Empath.
You Take on Other People’s Emotions as Yours
This is the most common trait of being an Empath. Empaths are sponges when it comes to absorbing the emotional energies around them and feeling them as if it were their own emotions. Empaths are even able to handle the emotion of another, also if the person is not showing that emotion. It can be hard for Empaths to be able to tell which their real emotion is, and which is the one that they have picked up from someone else.
You Feel Anxious in Crowds
Empaths do not do well in large crowds and can become anxious quickly. Empaths are not limited to feeling emotions from one person at a time, so you can imagine how overwhelmed an Empath may feel being thrown emotions one after the other as they pass through a crowd. Due to how many emotions Empaths can feel, they tend to avoid crowds to prevent themselves from feeling drained.
You Offer Great Advice
Empaths are highly sought after for their advice. Since Empaths are good listeners and can understand what people are feeling in real-time, they can give better advice. The advice Empaths give come from the heart and honestly answer the questions people are seeking answers for.
You Have a Strong Desire to Help Others
Since Empaths know what someone is feeling, they oftentimes have a strong desire to help. They know what the person is feeling, so they know the proper way to help the person in need. Many times, an Empath may want to help someone so that they can stop feeling the nagging emotion. Whatever the reasoning for an Empath helping maybe, they will go to any extent to help someone.
How to Manage Being an Empath
If you feel like you are an Empath do not panic, when managed correctly you can avoid the negative connotations linked to being an Empath. Here are some helpful ways to handle being an Empath that will not drain you.
Set Boundaries
It may be tempting to try and help every person that you feel needs help, but you need to understand that you cannot fix everything. Know what you can and cannot do to help someone; otherwise you will be more of a hindrance than an aid. By being able to tell yourself “no” and move on from the situation, you should be able to control yourself from diving into a situation that can heal itself without you.
Practice Self-Compassion
Empaths are very good at being harsh on themselves emotionally. This is mainly because some Empaths, when they are not able to control their emotions, blame themselves for what they are feeling. Sit back and relax, treat yourself like a friend, and understand that what you are feeling is not your fault. By showing yourself that you care, you should be able to start better to separate your emotions from the ones others are making you feel.
Spend Time in Nature
Being an Empath can be something some people can struggle with. It is draining constantly feeling emotions that are not your own, and sometimes you cannot control. Do not take being an Empath as a curse, but as a unique talent that you need to manage and control. Being an Empath is a gift, something that not every person has the chance to feel or experience. By being an Empath, you can better help the people that matter the most to you by being able to understand how they think and give them helpful advice. You may not be able to control being an Empath immediately, but once you know that you are an Empath, you will be more aware of it and be able to see when you are experiencing the effects of being an Empath. That way, you will not be afraid of your gift or who you are, but can better appreciate your talent and use it beneficially
