The Benefits and Drawbacks of Being an Empath

Some people describe themselves as "empaths," which means they're so attuned to others' experiences that they may actually experience those feelings themselves.

Let's take five minutes to see this week in a new light. By Wendy Rose Gould & Amy Morin, LCSW, Editor-in-Chief Top of Mind The Benefits & Drawbacks of Being an Empath   It's our human nature to look inward and focus on our own emotions, thoughts, and feelings. Practicing empathy in our day to day lives is important because it helps us see new perspectives and understand where others come from. Some people describe themselves as "empaths," which means they're so attuned to others' experiences that they may actually experience those feelings themselves.   The ability to see things from another person's perspective and sympathize with another's emotions plays an important role in our social lives." — KENDRA CHERRY, MS   Signs You're an Empath People who excel in practicing empathy are good at listening, actively think about how others are feeling, and find themselves a consistent confidant for friends and strangers. An empath, however, often takes this role one step further.   Empaths are highly sensitive to others' emotions, sometimes even feeling that person's emotions themselves. While the science isn't conclusive regarding empaths, many people wholly believe they possess these abilities. The Pros & Cons of Being an Empath  On the plus side, an empath is able to provide meaningful emotional support for others. More than that, they can easily identify what someone else is feeling and perhaps even experience those feelings themselves. In that sense, being an empath is a superpower.   However, there are some notable drawbacks. Empaths may: Experience over-stimulation in crowded spaces Feel emotionally drained by their interactions with others Find it difficult to create and enforce boundaries Struggle to carve out enough personal time The Joy of Letting Go If you've experienced any of the above sort of emotional burnout or over-stimulation—or if you struggle to prioritize yourself—that's a sign it's time to step back and reassess. Putting yourself first allows you to be more available to others.   Here are a few ways you can protect yourself: Carve out time for self-care and embrace these moments. Be selective about who you "give" yourself to, such as close friends and family whom you trust and who don't take advantage of your empathetic nature. Don't forget to ask for help. Empaths are good at giving to others, to the point that some relationships can feel one-sided. Be vocal about your feelings and needs. Speak with a therapist if you need help managing boundaries and prioritizing yourself.   On the Bright Side Ways to Stay Positive This Week Ways to Nurture Your Mind and Body  Today, take 10 to 15 minutes to assess your relationships with others and yourself. If you're an empath, ask yourself what you can do to prioritize yourself and create healthier boundaries. What will you benefit from doing so? And how can you stick to these goals? The Self-Love Edition of the We're Not Really Strangers card game is meant to be played with only yourself. The 51 cards and wild cards challenge you to love yourself and help boost your self-confidence. "Empath: A Complete Guide for Developing Your Gift and Finding Your Sense of Self" is a best-selling book by Judy Dyer. It acknowledges the joys and privileges of being an empath but is realistic about the potential drawbacks. It guides the reader through practical solutions and copings skills to improve your quality of life. Some of these top-rated relationship books provide tips on how to approach your relationships from a standpoint of empathy in order to build stronger and happier bonds.     This Week on The Verywell Mind Podcast   On tomorrow's episode of The Verywell Mind Podcast, I talk with neuroscientist Dr. Wendy Suzuki about how to harness to power of anxiety. Tune in to hear her strategies.   Follow Now: Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Google Podcasts / RSS Read These Next How to Develop Empathy in Your Relationships READ NOW What to Do If You or a Loved One Lack Empathy READ NOW How Emotionally Intelligent Are You? READ NOW Spread the Light Share the newsletter with someone you know to make their day a little brighter. SHARE We're open to suggestions! If you have any feedback about this newsletter, let us know at feedback@verywell.com.     You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the Healthy Mind newsletter. If you wish to unsubscribe, please click here. If someone forwarded you this email, you can subscribe here!   A DOTDASH MEREDITH BRAND 28 Liberty Street, 7th Floor, New York, NY, 10005   © 2022 Verywellmind.com - All rights reserved. Privacy Policy