The Need For Empath Self-Care

In times of great stress an empath may neglect their own needs in favor of others, and start to lose the unique perspective they bring to the world.

Since most empaths, by their very nature, want to help others, finding a balance between using their gifts, while practicing self-care, can be tricky. Simply put, it’s easy in these times for empathic people to become overwhelmed.

Empaths feel the energies of the world much stronger than others, and can pick up on the subtle changes in the emotions and intentions of those around them. The empath serves as both a mirror and a prism to the world and its energies. Being an empath feels as if your ‘personal filter’ has been turned off, and naturally, there are many things in our noisy, hectic world that can trigger empaths.

Whether it be the chaos of others arguing or fighting; the feeling of getting lost in a crowd; the sense that others are being phony or inauthentic; or just too much on one’s emotional plate all at once; the empath may begin to withdraw, or even shut off from the rest of the world, when it all becomes too much.

Think of an empath’s ability to pick up on energies like a motion-alarm system which is constantly being tripped by any form of movement or activity. In this case the motions are the energies, emotions, and forces which shape our world. The empath has to deal with the stresses of this constant barrage.

Not only is the empath surrounded in modern society by constant incoming sensory stimuli: flickering images, flashing lights, loud music, conversations, and ambient noise, but also moving in though an ocean of all kinds of good and bad energy. Finding time and space to shut off all the noise, and block out all the negative energies, needs to be part of an empath’s daily self-care routine.

Self-care is essential for all empathic people. When you mindfully and lovingly practice it each day, your sensitivities will flourish ~ Judith Orloff

It’s crucial that each empath find a self-care routine which works for them. Many of us find, for example, that reconnecting with nature, such as walks in the forest, hiking, or doing gentle yoga or meditation outdoors, can be very healing. Owning a pet, or two, at home is also very helpful. There’s a reason the term ‘grounding’ is used so often in this context. When empaths are in nature, they are fully connected and present with the Earth and its energies.

The empath’s personal space needs to also be calm, reflective and harmonious. Feng Shui, and other energy clearing and balancing strategies, such as smudging, aura cleansing, aromatherapy, chakra balancing, color therapy, cord cutting, journaling, crystal therapy, sea salt baths and decluttering the home, are all useful strategies of self-care for the overwhelmed empath.

Being an empath can make you feel as if you’re too sensitive, too caring, or that you’re just an open emotional nerve that needs fixing. But…you don’t fixing – you just need special maintenance ~ Jessica Dimas

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, learning to set appropriate boundaries is key, not just for empaths, but for every vulnerable person. It’s tempting to want to take on the emotional burdens of others, when you can’t even carry our own. Yes, this is what empaths are tasked to do by the Universe. However, as flight attendants usually remind passengers on every flight, putting on your own oxygen mask is the sensible thing to do, before attempting to help anyone else.

A strong, healthy, grounded empath is among the most powerful spiritual forces in the world. Learning to take care of ourselves, and our energy, is a vital part of our journey and our calling.