Tool Kit for Empaths and Highly Sensitive Folks (All of Us!)

Are you empathic? Do you seem to feel what other people are feeling? Are you upset or angry for no apparent reason? Does your stomach feel queasy, but you are not sick? Is it difficult to go into large department stores? Here are some PREVENTION AND COPING SKILLS

Be vigilant about maintaining your vibration at a high enough level to enable you to navigate through life more purposefully, authentically, and, most importantly, safely. You will attract whatever you imagine, so to be mindful of the frequencies you are focusing on. But beware: do not manipulate anyone’s free will. This will weaken your energy quickly.

Be the observer; don’t let yourself get hooked in any drama. As you experience these changes, you may notice that others around you are treading water, or are resentful of the new us. The reason for this is that they are still living in the old world of duality and control. Don’t take it personally.

You can maintain a high vibration level by:

• Release energy vibrations from shame, blame, or guilt
• Refuse victim consciousness
• Cut energy cords that drain you
• Ground your energy through meditation and relaxation
• Remove emotional blockages through regression therapy and Reiki
• Protect yourself by visualizing a white light around you
• Remove yourself from drama and chaos
• Be selective regarding whom you invite into your space

Empath Judith Orloff, MD also gives us some suggestions. Empaths are highly emotional sponges. If empaths are around peace and love, their bodies assimilate these and flourish. Crowds or negativity, though, often feel assaultive, exhausting.

“For empaths to fully enjoy gatherings with family and friends, they must learn to protect their sensitivity and find balance. As an empath, I’ve always been hyper-attuned to other people’s moods, good and bad. Before I learned to protect my energy, I felt them lodge in my body. After being in crowds, I would leave feeling anxious, depressed, or tired. When I got home, I’d just crawl into bed, yearning for peace and quiet.” — Judith Orloff

Here are six empath survival strategies from Orloff’s book, The Ecstasy of Surrender to help you manage empathy more effectively and stay centered without absorbing negative energies.

Empath Survival Skill #1 – Move away
When possible, distance yourself by at least 20 feet from the suspected source. See if you feel relief. Don’t worry about offending anyone. At the gathering try not to sit next to the identified energy vampire. Physical closeness increases empathy.

Empath Survival Skill #2 – Surrender to your breath
If you suspect you are picking up someone else’s energies, concentrate on your breath for a few minutes. This is centering and connects you to your power. In contrast, holding your breath keeps negativity lodged in your body. To purify fear and pain, exhale stress and inhale calm.

Empath Survival Skill #3 – Practice ‘Guerrilla Meditation’
Be sure to meditate before the gathering, centering yourself, connecting to spirit, feeling your heart. Get strong. If you encounter emotional or physical distress while at an event, act fast and meditate for a few minutes. You can do this by taking refuge in the bathroom or an empty room. If it’s public, close the stall. Meditate there. Calm yourself. Focus on positivity and love.

Empath Survival Skill #4 – Set healthy limits and boundaries
Control how much time you spend listening to stressful people, and learn to say “no.” Set clear limits and boundaries with people. Remember, “No” is a complete sentence.

Empath Survival Skill #5 – Visualize protection around you
Research has shown that visualization is a healing mind/body technique. A practical form of protection many people use, including health care practitioners with difficult patients, involves visualizing an envelope of white light around your entire body. Or with extremely toxic people, visualize a fierce black jaguar patrolling and protecting your energy field to keep out intruders.

Empath Survival Skill #6 – Define and honor your empathic needs
Safeguard your sensitivities. In a calm, collected moment, make a list of your top five most emotionally rattling situations. Then formulate a plan for handling them so you don’t fumble in the moment.

And finally, here are some practical examples of what to do in situations that predictably stymie empaths:

~If someone asks too much of you, politely tell them, “No.” It’s not necessary to explain why. As the saying goes, “‘No’ is a complete sentence.”

~If your comfort level is three hours max for socializing–even if you adore the people — take your own car or have an alternate transportation plan so you’re not stranded.

~If crowds are overwhelming, eat a high-protein meal beforehand (this grounds you) and sit in the far corner of, say, a theatre or party, not dead center.

~Some empaths are highly sensitive to scents, if you are overwhelmed, for instance by perfume, nicely request that your friends refrain from wearing it around you. If you can’t avoid it, stand near a window or take frequent breaks to catch a breath of fresh air outdoors.

If all else fails and you absorb stressful or negative energy while at a gathering, when you get home take a bath or shower. A bath is a sanctuary after a busy day. It washes away everything from bus exhaust to long hours of air travel to pesky symptoms I have taken on from others. Soaking in natural mineral springs divinely purifies all that ails. Or use Epsom salts, or essential oils.

Take it easy, dear ones…
Melissa Leath
http://www.melissaleath.com