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1. Empathy -

The first one is a little obvious, but you may be an empath if you feel a lot of empathy! This means you have the ability to understand the experiences and feelings of others. Empathy is something that most people feel every day.

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1. Empathy -

The difference with an empath is that they take this to a more extreme level. Rather than simply understanding the feelings of others, you take them on as if you were the one experiencing something painful. The pain or happiness of the people around you becomes your pain or happiness.

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2. Overwhelmed by intimacy -

As empaths are already extremely sensitive to others, this can make closeness and intimacy quite overwhelming, particularly in romantic relationships.

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2. Overwhelmed by intimacy - A typical example might be that you feel a kind of sensory overload from a lot of talking or touching, a stressful feeling like you need to step back and be alone somewhere quiet. However, if you express this need to your partner, you’re likely to take on their hurt feelings, which is all the more distressing.

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3. Good intuition -

One of the upsides to this hypersensitivity to other people is that you have good intuition. You get a strong feeling when something is off, or someone is being dishonest with you. An empath is likely to put a lot of faith in their instincts.

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4. Peace in nature -

Empaths tend to take more comfort in nature than the average person. They are drawn to the peace and tranquility away from overwhelming sensations, sounds, and emotions. Spending time hiking, by the beach, or in parks is a rejuvenating experience.

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5. Crowded places are overwhelming - Empaths aren’t just sensitive to emotions, they can also be sensitive to all kinds of sensory stimulation. Loud noises can be extra intense, particularly from a buzzing crowd giving off a lot of ‘emotional noise.’

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5. Crowded places are overwhelming - Empaths generally feel more comfortable with smaller groups of people and like to be alone. Being surrounded by the emotions of a large group of people can cause distress, or even make an empath physically unwell.

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6. Very caring - As an empath, it’s very difficult not to care about something. You might feel an intense urge to help someone you really have no responsibility for, or carry their distress with you for a long time.

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6. Very caring -

It’s good to be caring towards others, but it becomes a problem when it overshadows your care of yourself. Empaths are extremely sensitive to other people's distress, but find it very hard to create boundaries to protect themselves.

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7. A sympathetic ear -

Empaths will often find that people tend to tell them their problems. They are often fantastic listeners and their heightened empathy makes them very understanding and sympathetic. This is great for the person benefiting from these qualities, but can be difficult for the empath themselves.

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7. A sympathetic ear -

This characteristic can open empaths up to manipulation and toxic behavior where their friends or partners use them for ‘emotional dumps’ without caring about the impact it has. An empath will find it hard to to express their needs when they’re getting to the point of being emotionally overwhelmed.

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8. Highly sensitive senses -

As mentioned earlier, empaths are extra sensitive to sounds, as well as smells and other sensations. Empaths may find that they prefer to absorb information by reading and like to keep the volume low when watching TV or listening to music. Loud noises and strong fragrances can be jarring and unpleasant.

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9. Time to recharge - Empaths are easily fatigued due the amount of energy they spend absorbing and feeling other people’s emotions. This happens with pleasant emotions as well as negative ones. If you can’t escape to rest your senses for a while, this can lead to a burnout.

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9. Time to recharge - It’s commonly known that introverts find energy from being alone, but this doesn’t necessarily mean empaths are introverts. Socializing may energize you too, you just need to recognize the point where you’ve had too much and need a little break.

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10. Avoiding conflict - An empath is likely to hate conflict and possibly avoids it altogether. The heightened sensitivity to other people’s emotions makes it extra difficult to engage in an argument or disagreement. You’re not just dealing with your own negative emotions–you're dealing with the other person’s too.

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11. Feeling like an outsider - Empaths sometimes feel like they don’t fit in because they’re so much more sensitive than others. The people around you might not understand why you become so easily stressed or tired, and you might not understand all of the emotions you’re absorbing from them.

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11. Feeling like an outsider - For this reason, empaths may become more private. It can be difficult to share your experiences with others because you don’t feel ‘normal.’ It can be challenging to find a comfortable balance in your social life as an empath, but these traits are actually a strength rather than a weakness.

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12. Tendency to isolate -

Alone time is usually necessary for an empath to recover and rest after being out in the world, but isolating yourself too much can take a toll on your mental health. It’s important to take the healing quiet time you need, but not to forget that human connection is an essential and joyful part of life.

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13. Difficulty with boundaries -

Boundaries are essential in all relationships. Empaths may rely on them even more because they become more easily overwhelmed and need to know when it’s time to recharge. It can be difficult to express this need for fear of hurting a loved one, but we can only take care of others if we are first taking care of ourselves. You cannot pour from an empty cup.

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14. Unique world view -

An empath’s deeper emotional understanding and intuition makes them more likely to notice things that other people don’t, or make connections that other people miss.

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15. Struggling to cope -

Empaths struggle to protect themselves when it comes to taking on other people’s emotions. It can feel like a broken dam allowing rushing water to wash over you and take you away. Those who don’t know how to set boundaries and take care of themselves often struggle to cope with the over-stimulation. This can cause a lot of distress.

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Self-care strategy -

It’s essential to recognize your sensitivities and know how to care for and protect yourself. Let’s take a look at some self-care tips for empaths.

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1. Prioritize your health and well-being -

It’s important to realize what you need in order to feel well. For empaths, this often means making time for activities that rejuvenate you and allow you to feel calm. Taking time to read a book, meditate, go for a walk, or paint can be just as essential as your other obligations.

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2. Take an honest inventory -

Check in with yourself regularly, perhaps every day or week, and see if you’re taking on too much. If you’ve committed to too many things and are starting to feel overwhelmed, try to take a step back and give yourself some space. Setting boundaries is extremely important.

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3. Practice saying no -

This leads to the most difficult tip: say no when you’re at your limit (or, ideally, before). It’s not selfish to say no to helping someone if it’s going to jeopardize your well-being. If you pay attention, you’ll notice that other people do it all the time. It’s expected that you won’t be available 24/7 for whatever your family, friends, or colleagues might want from you.

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4. Express yourself - Empaths benefit greatly from activities that allow them to express themselves. This can be a form of art, writing, journaling, music, or getting lost in nature. This is really helpful in processing the constant overload of emotions.

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5. Unplug -

You don’t always need to be face to face with someone to take on their emotions. Social media, messages, and emails are also very effective mediums! Unplugging from these communication forms for a while can be extremely refreshing and can bring a much needed sense of calm.

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6. Ask for help -

Don’t be afraid to ask others to help you. You don’t always need to be the one helping others–they’re there to help you as well. Talk to a friend or family member when you’re feeling overwhelmed or aren’t sure how to manage your obligations. Getting it off your chest always helps, and they may be able to remind you that you’re allowed to say no!

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7. Therapy is invaluable -

If you’re experiencing burnout and are struggling to set boundaries that help you cope, it’s always helpful to speak to a professional. Empaths often benefit greatly from therapy, as it can help to bring greater awareness and build essential skills to become a happy, compassionate person.

Sources: (Healthline) (Psychology Today) (Read Poetry) 

See also: How to make online therapy work for you

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