Empathy is usually a beautiful trait. It allows you to connect with another person more profoundly and create an understanding. In today’s world, people go through so many silent battles and can often end up feeling alone. Having a sibling, colleague or friend who possesses empathic qualities is a blessing. Empaths see the world from a different viewpoint. Most people identify them as human beings who are keenly aware of other people’s emotions and tend to understand and support them. They hold off judgement and receive other people’s emotions as their own.
However, not everyone who can pay attention to others can be called an empath. Unlike most people, empaths have other qualities that are not easily recognised. Here are signs that can help you navigate whether you or someone you know is an empath.
Signs of An Empath
Natural Helper or Healer
An empath’s first and most common trait is always wanting to help someone struggling with an issue. Compassion and care come naturally for empaths because they sense other people’s emotions. No matter what a person feels, even if they shy away from showing it, an empath will pick up on it quickly.
They give out great advice
Empaths are known to be very keen listeners. Once they sense something is wrong, they will often sit with you and try to understand your situation. As you talk to them, you will notice how they refrain from interrupting and listen closely before giving you advice. This makes it easier for the people around them to run to them whenever they need advice or encouragement.
They Have a Hard Time Setting Boundaries
Setting boundaries is always challenging for everyone. However, empaths find it extremely hard to set boundaries with people around them out of fear. Setting boundaries for an empath feels like betraying people around them and letting them drown in their pain.
Easily Detect Lies
People with empathic qualities can easily detect when someone is dishonest, thanks to their intuition. They may not know what exactly someone is hiding, but their ability to process social cues makes it easy to read people’s intentions. However, there are times when this may not work for some people, especially someone who is good at lying.
They Struggle with Crowded Places
Most empaths are introverted. Being among many people makes it difficult to stay calm because of loud noises and people’s energy. Their heart and brain become hyper-sensitive because they pick up on positive and negative energy.
They Sense People’s Physical Illnesses
Aside from being able to sense emotions, empaths can also sense when someone is in physical pain. This ability draws them to professions that require caregiving, like nursing or being a doctor.
How to Protect your Energy
As much as being an empath is powerful and positive, it can also have its downside. Being able to take in other people’s emotions can end up being too intense. Communicating and helping people regularly can leave you feeling easily overwhelmed and anxious. Being an empath also means that you may develop codependent and people-pleasing tendencies. Here are a few habits you can develop to help preserve your energy.
Journaling
Journaling is one of the best ways to release pressure when feeling overwhelmed. Take time in a quiet place to write whatever feels intense to help you release. Journaling can also guide you towards focusing on your feelings because sometimes that may be hard. To form this habit, you can start by writing one or two lines every evening to help you process the day. 6 Reasons Why You Should Consider Keeping A Daily Journal
Trying to Set Boundaries
Being an empath, you might find it hard to set healthy boundaries; however, it is a necessary step towards protecting your energy. As you communicate with people, you can lose track of your needs. Knowing when to step away from situations and focus on prioritizing yourself is a habit you should practice. The best way to do that is, to be honest about what you feel around people. If the person you are communicating with is draining, setting a few boundaries and deciding the amount of energy you are willing to give is critical. You can set the boundary by helping them find other forms of support or letting them know you are not in the right state for an interaction. How To Set Healthy Relationship Boundaries And Benefits
Practising Mindfulness
Recognizing your feelings and focusing on your needs is essential, and practising mindfulness can help you achieve the two. The best way to form this practice is to find what works for you. It could be meditation, knitting, painting or taking a walk. Set aside some time and do what makes you feel most at peace. Mental Wellness: Tips For Practising Mindfulness
Spending Time in Nature
Spending time alone can help to clear your mind, and what better way to do that than being in the great outdoors? Nature’s calming effect will help you connect with yourself and let go of negativity. Physical And Mental Benefits Of Reconnecting With Nature
Trying Visualization Techniques
Say you have a big party to attend that you cannot miss, or you are about to have a difficult conversation that will leave you drained. The best way to ensure you remain calm is by practising visualization techniques. Imagine that you are in a protective bubble that acts as a barrier between you and another person. The both of you are engaging, but the bubble protects you from taking in their emotions. Another technique you can try is imagining other people’s emotions as water flowing through you or as a balloon you can easily let go of. Different Ways You Can Use Visualization To Achieve Your Goals
Regularly practising these techniques will ensure that you only take in the energy you can deal with, thereby remaining grounded and peaceful.
If you liked this article, you should check out
How To Set Healthy Relationship Boundaries And Benefits
How To Manage Your Emotions Effectively
6 Benefits Of Having Good Emotional Intelligence
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