The word “Empath” is being used a lot on the internet and on social media recently. But what actually is an empath, and is it a good thing to be?
If you’ve ever been described as “highly sensitive,” “intuitive,” or “in tune with other people’s emotions,” you may be an empath. An empath is someone who is deeply sensitive to the emotions and energies of those around them.
They have the ability to pick up on other people’s feelings, thoughts, and moods, often without even knowing it. With this in mind, it is fair to assume that being an empath is a good thing!
Signs of an empath
Empaths are often seen as highly compassionate and caring individuals. They tend to be very nurturing and often put the needs of others before their own.
Empaths are also known for their strong intuition and ability to sense when something isn’t right. They often have a knack for being able to pick up on underlying issues or feelings that others may be hiding or not even aware of.
Empaths also tend to be very affected by their environment. They can easily become overwhelmed by loud noises, bright lights, or large crowds.
They may also be prone to feeling drained after spending too much time with people, as they are taking on the emotional energy of those around them.
Is being an empath and an introvert the same thing?
Many people believe that being an empath and an introvert is the same thing. However, this is not the case, although there are certainly some similarities between the two.
An empath is not the same as an introvert; while introverts may prefer to be alone, empaths can enjoy the company of others, but may become overwhelmed by too much stimulation. They often need time to be alone in order to recharge and reconnect with themselves.
An introvert meanwhile is typically a person that feels more comfortable in their inner thoughts and ideas. They may often be a rather shy person that prefers their own company.
They typically don’t get involved in the emotions of others and try to contain their own emotions – not sharing them with others. Therefore, while there are some similarities, there are differences.
Are there any downsides to being an empath?
However, there are some downsides to being an empath. Many empath’s feel that because of taking on everyone else’s emotions, they sometimes lose their own sense of “self”.
So often, these feelings are not reciprocated, which can be difficult to live with. This can cause problems in friendships and relationships.
Due to many factors, many empaths go through periods of low mood and poor mental wellbeing due to feelings of solitude and loneliness. This can develop into mental health conditions if not managed properly.
Moreover, many people that are empaths typically do not have a good balance between caring for others and self-care. This can result in prioritizing the needs of others over their own.
Self-care as an empath
No matter what type of empath you are, it is important to find ways to take care of yourself. Empaths can benefit from spending time in nature, connecting with their spiritual side, and learning how to protect their energy.
With some self-care, an empath can use their unique gifts to help others and create a positive impact on the world. This is a very important thing to remember.
The Takeaway
Being an empath is largely a good thing, but it is important for any empath to ensure that they have a strong understanding of the crucial nature of self-care.
By helping others, it can definitely make you feel good about yourself and impact society in a positive way. But just don’t forget yourself and your own needs along the way.
