Empathy is one of the fundamental characteristics of being a good human being. Our empathy allows us to connect with others on a deep level and to feel their pain and happiness as our own. But some of us are far more in tune with others than the rest of the population. We are empaths, and having this innate ability to connect deeply with others is both a blessing and a curse. Empaths are human emotional sponges and that can take a toll on our own emotional wellbeing.
Some studies have shown that empathy exists in our mirror neurons – a type of cell in our brains that allows us to physically feel what others are feeling. For example, you see someone getting a cut on their finger, and you can feel the pain that they feel. It’s suggested, therefore, that empaths have hypersensitive mirror neurons.
While most people have emotional reactions to things that happen to the people closest to them, empaths don’t have that filter. For empaths, any time they go out into the world, even just for something as simple as a trip to the grocery store, they can be overwhelmed and negatively affected by other people. They become drained in social situations such as in a crowded theater or airport.
How do you know if you are an empath? Maybe you find yourself easily exhausted when out in the world. Maybe you are starting to have panic attacks or other physical ailments such as an increased heartbeat or a skin rash.
If you are allowing other people’s energy to adversely affect your peace, here are some tips on protecting your happiness:
- Use grounding techniques: Take long, slow breaths in through your nose and out your mouth, placing your hands on your belly to feel it expand and deflate. Connect with your feet and feel the grounding to the earth.
- Set boundaries: If there are certain people that tend to throw your energy off balance, limit your time with them.
- Write it down: Journaling is a fantastic way to eliminate negative energy from your body. Imagine the energy coming out of your body, through the pen, and onto the paper.
- Lean on Mother Earth: When modern life and all its noise gets to be too much, find your way to nature. Take a break from all the commotion and find a calming spot that helps you clear your mind.
- Visualization: If you are running errands or at a public event and you feel others’ energy stifling yours, imagine you are in a protective bubble or surrounded by a wall where no one can touch you.
