Empath is a popular term these days, as evidenced by the countless books, websites, and articles dedicated to it.  Especially in new age and spiritual communities, it seems an Empath has become the new “it” thing to be.

But what is an empath exactly? Is it really a thing you can be? Unfortunately, the term is so overused that it’s meaning has become vague, lacking solid definitions or qualifications.

To some, an empath is a person who is overly sensitive. Others believe it’s a sort of supernatural power. Or some think it simply describes anyone who has a tremendous amount of Empathy.

In a broad sense, all of these definitions are correct. Everyone is capable of empathy, but it’s the amount of empathy a person feels that differs. Like any other personal attribute, such as resilience or courage, empathy exists on a spectrum.

An empath is one who experiences life on the high end of the empathy spectrum. This results in intense feelings and emotions that often have a negative impact. To understand why this occurs and how it affects a person, you have to examine the difference between how an empath functions energetically compared to other people.

Empathy and Energy

Every living person exudes a subtle electromagnetic field of Energy that surrounds them. Like an identification badge, these fields carry one’s unique information, such a person’s thoughts, emotions and intentions.

If you could see an empath’s field, it would appear much larger than most. It also wouldn’t have much definition to its boundaries.  Because of this, an empath’s field tends to overlap with everything and everyone around them.

When this occurs, the field of the empath meshes with those of other people and their surroundings. This makes it difficult for an empath to define what is his or her own energy, and what is not. And since energy fields carry  information about a person’s emotions, thoughts and intentions, an empath can become overwhelmed, disturbed or confused by all of the additional stimulation they accumulate.

Simply put, an empath operates like a sponge. Without the normal filters or boundaries that separate us and protect our energy from one another, they tend to absorb energy from the people and places they encounter.

The Spectrum of Sensitivity

Are you an empath? Do you know where you fall on the spectrum of empathy? Check the following signs to find out. The more you have, the higher on the spectrum of empathy you fall:

• Naturally shy
• People often tell you their problems/ask you for help without provocation
• Easily influenced by others/ gullible
• Can’t say no easily
• People pleaser
• Often feel ignored or overlooked by others
• Feel the emotions of others as if they are your own
• Often find it hard to determine your own feelings/desires
• Don’t like to be touched
• Avoid crowds
• Regularly experience phantom aches and pains
• Feel drained after being in a social situation
• Need alone time to recharge yourself
• Often have a confused sense of self and/or purpose
• Feel overwhelmed in places with high emotional atmospheres, such as hospitals, schools or casinos
• Hypersensitive to the actions and opinions of others.
• Boundary issues with others
• Usually the giver, rarely, if ever, the taker
• Random and inexplicable mood swings
• Tend to avoid loud or harsh people and environments
• Take on personality, moods and traits of others accidentally and easily
• Overly sensitive to violent or emotional media
• Tend to keep problems to self
• Large capacity for understanding other people
• Naturally strive to heal others or solve their problems
• Highly intuitive
• Introverted
• Prefer to be home
• Can easily detect dishonesty
• Seem to attract people who take advantage of you
• Difficulty fitting in with others
• Feel better in nature
• Often feel lonely
• Prefer solitary activities
• Dislike small talk and inauthentic relations with others
• Place extreme value on privacy

Coping with Sensitivity

No matter where you fall on the spectrum, coping with an empathetic nature is not easy. But there are some things you can do that will help you. Try the following tips:

• Create personal space for yourself every day
• Learn to say no without guilt
• Define clear boundaries in your personal relationships
• Schedule down-time for yourself after socializing
• Spend more time out of doors
• Exercise regularly to clear your energy field
• Practice meditation
• Examine your own emotions to determine which belong to you, and which do not
• Work to heal yourself, allow others their right to do the same
• Know your limits and respect them

The first step to all change is awareness. A clear understanding of how empathy functions can help make a positive shift in how an empath copes with the world. If you or someone you know is highly empathic, strive to honor the gift of your differences so you can live in a healthier and more peaceful way.

The post What is an Empath? Empathy, Energy and the Spectrum of Sensitivity appeared first on Mechanics of Being.